Guest Blogger Mirella Patzer

Bloodstone Castle stands sentinel on the shores of the Ligurian Sea. Secreted somewhere in its dungeons is an ancient Roman treasure of immense value. Contessa Morena of Bloodstone Castle possesses a mysterious bloodstone pendant, the only proof the treasure exists. Since childhood, she has been promised in marriage to Duke Ernesto of Savona. Ernesto is a desperate man, a gambler who has lost his family’s fortune, a man who resorts to murder, not once, not twice, but three times to keep from paying his debts and to hide his dirty secret. Marriage to the lovely Morena will make the treasure his and restore his power and desperate circumstances. After the brutal murder of his father, Duke Amoro of Genoa swears two oaths. The first is to avenge his father’s death. The second is to honour his father’s dying wish and wed Morena of Bloodstone Castle and end the violent feud with between their two families. He severs his affair with his mistress, Laria, and departs for Bloodstone Castle to propose to Morena. But Morena refuses to marry him. Her life thrown into chaos, Morena must choose between obligation and honour, truth and lies, good and evil. She must honour the betrothal her father arranged with Ernesto. Amoro continues to try to convince Morena otherwise.

Ernesto arrives at Bloodstone Castle to claim his bride, but finds Amoro there. The two men confront each other with much animosity.

Then, when the murdered body of Morena’s father is brought home, Amoro helps her with his burial, then her and takes her to his home in Genoa. He is fiercely protective over her. This angers Morena at times because she insists upon her independence. While she is conducting an act of charity, she notices Amoro’s men following her. As she tries to escape, she falls from her horse and is taken back to Amoro. When Amoro agrees to allow Morena full independence, they set a wedding date.

Laria and Ernesto meet and together they plan to separate Amoro and Morena.

On the day of the wedding, Morena falls into the clutches of Ernesto. Amoro arrives to rescue her and the two men agree to battle each other – winner gets the girl. Ernesto cheats and Amoro is held prisoner. Morena realizes her love for Amoro and to save his life, agrees to marry Ernesto. Laria is free to pursue Amoro again. But Amoro continues to refuse Laria. When Laria learns that Ernesto plans to kill Amoro, she aids Morena in a daring rescue to Amoro and his men.

In medieval Italy, two men face each other with ruthlessness and intensity. Enter their world of splendour and depravity, of passion and wickedness. It is Italy’s most dazzling and dangerous age, and as Duke Amoro of Genoa and Duke Ernesto of Savona match wits and cunning, it is a dance the death to decide which one of them will win the hand of the beautiful Countess Morena and the hidden treasure of Bloodstone Castle.

Books are one of Mirella Patzer’s obsessions, especially those that pertain to medieval eras and with Italy as a backdrop. To fulfill a life long dream, she began writing several years ago and has never looked back. Since then she has published several short stories and completed two novels with several more novels in various stages of completion. Her fascination for women of history and Italy is often reflected in her work, blogs, and website. When she’s not immersed in research or writing or blogging, Mirella works as an editor for Enspiren Press. She writes from her home in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, surrounded by her husband, two college-bound daughters, and a rambunctious little grandson who frequently interrupts her work with a variety of unanticipated, yet humorous calamities and interruptions. For her, life couldn’t get any better.

1. What drew you to write about the medieval era and Italy?

I am the eldest daughter of Italian immigrants who came to Canada in the late 1950’s. I have visited Italy on several occasions during my life to meet my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who live there. From a very young age, I fell in love with Italy, its history, its beauty, its culture. I have always felt cheated – that I wasn’t born there. The longing never leaves me. But my life and my immediate family are here in Canada. So I indulge my yearning for my Italian roots by researching and writing about Italy. As far as the medieval era goes, I think I was born with a strong interest in the Middle Ages. As a child, I read every fairy tale book in my library several times over, year after year. I loved reading about princesses, queens, kings, knights. I have carried that with me all my life except that now I read and write medieval era novels. My heart will always be in medieval Italy.

2. Did you have to do a lot of research for this book?

I have been researching 10th century Europe since 2003 because I’m writing a trilogy / family about Otto the Great and his family. But writing a true historical based on actual persons can be quite challenging because one must stick to the facts. And it takes years. I cannot change history so I know the plot and how it will end. But the creative side in me demanded to be set free – I needed a detour – a reprieve from so much fact, so I decided to write something purely from my own imagination. Thus was born Bloodstone Castle. To save time, I deliberately kept it in the 10th century so that I could focus on letting my imagination run wild and still keep historically accurate to the times without having to do a ton of new research.

3. How long did it take you to write Bloodstone Castle?

It took me about 2 years to write it on a part time basis. I had a full time career as a manager of several departments at a local police department, so I wrote after work and on weekends. During the writing of Bloodstone Castle, I was blessed with the birth of my grandson. In July 2007, I was able to take early retirement. I can only still write part time however because I care for my grandson on a full time basis while my daughter is going through law school. The day will come, however, when I can devote full time hours to my writing. But for now, I’ve never been happier. I have the best of both worlds – my grandson and my writing with no official day job.

4. What do you think is the hardest part of writing?

It takes a great deal of energy to be creative. And it takes several re-writes before I deem a chapter good enough to progress to the next. I change and fix almost constantly. Many author friends tell me to just write and not worry about polishing and editing until after one is finished their first draft. I’m too much of a perfec
tionist to take that advice, so writing takes me a little longer than most. I’m very critical of my writing and it takes a lot effort before I am pleased with the product I just completed.

5. The easiest?

I find editing and polishing the easiest. Once I have written the bones of a particular chapter, I love going back over it to add sights, smells, descriptions, reactions, details. That’s when the scene really comes alive for me.

6. If you could be one character in your book who would it be and why?

I think I would be Smerelda, the wise woman and healer. She is mature, educated, self-assured, and knowledgeable. Wisdom comes with maturing. I agree with Oprah when she says that women in their 40’s and 50’s are enjoying some of their best years. I’m nearing 50 and I have never loved my life as much as I do now. I’m very blessed to have such a wonderful, supportive husband and daughters and the freedom to pursue my passion – writing.

7. What has been your most inspiring moment as an author?

I wrote a short story entitled Down Three Steps. It is a true story about an spiritual experience I had at my brother’s grave in Italy. My brother died as an infant before I was born and before my parents immigrated to Canada.

The story was featured in the anthology Mamma Mia: Good Italian Girls Talk Back which became a Canadian bestseller. I travelled to Toronto for the book launch and met the other 17 Italian Canadian women who also contributed stories.

At the book launch, when I read part of my story to a large audience, at the end of my reading, I noticed many people crying or with tears. It was then I realized the power of the written word and how we as authors and writer can influence the lives of our readers.

8. If you could give other authors or aspiring writers one piece of advice what would it be?

Just do it. Just write. Figure out what it is you need to do to get writing and do it. For me, I knew I needed a laptop. So I went out one day, bought it, and I’ve never looked back. If it means buying a desk, or finding a quiet space, or buying a special pen or paper, get it and write. And don’t worry about whether it’s perfect or not. Once something is written, I recommend joining a critique group or online critique group which will help you hone your skill. Persevere. All is achievable if one sticks to it.

9. How are you enjoying your book promotion tour so far?

I am enjoying it immensely. The book tour allows me to meet other authors and readers and learn from them. I’m an avid reader too, so it’s wonderful to be able to share what I’ve learned too. The Internet truly is a modern miracle.

10. Have you had any interesting fan moments?

Yes, I have and it is very gratifying. I love receiving email from a reader to let me know they want to buy my book or have read it. It’s gratifying to know that my words have provided someone with a little entertainment or provided them with a tiny escape from our sometimes very stressful lives.

Thank you very much for allowing me to spend time with you and your readers. It was a true pleasure to be here.

Mirella

The complete tour schedule is posted here – http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/05/mirella-patzer-virtual-book-tour.html

Find Out More About Mirella Patzer and Bloodstone CastleMirella Patzer’s Website –http://www.mirellapatzer.com/

Mirella Patzer’s Blogs

Watch a Video for Bloodstone Castle

Reviews for Bloodstone Castle by Mirella Patzer

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Castle-Mirella-Patzer/dp/0978486528