Guest Fox: Renee Vincent

                           Renee Vincent — Fox on Horseback
                                                    by Jeff Salter

             It’s a delight to host Renee Vincent as my Guest Fox today.  I’ve been wanting to bring her in for a Thursday visit for quite some time, but she stays so busy:  She’s released three new books since I first encountered her, barely 13 months ago.  Renee is one of the few writing colleagues I’ve actually met … at a book signing near Lexington in November, 2010.  And she’s a charmer.
            I purchased and read her first book, Raeliksen, and now that I have a Kindle, I hope to acquire the other two in that series.
            These descriptions and photos of her re-done basement family room are awesome — makes me want to visit (and take my shoes off).  Without further ado, please welcome the Hound’s Guest Fox, Renee. 

                                  Newest Release:  The Fall of Rain
                                                        By Renee Vincent

             Greetings to all! I hope everyone had a very safe and memorable holiday. I know I did, though I didn’t get to enjoy as much leisurely reading as I would’ve liked. I was really looking forward to finishing up a few books that have been sitting on my kindle for a couple of weeks now, but I suddenly found myself in the process of finishing our basement into a cozy family room complete with an inviting, ventless fireplace and full-functioning bar. Considering we live on a horse farm, my husband and I thought it would be really neat to have it resemble the look of a barn, without the horse manure, of course.

 Family Room
            We used the old barn siding off our actual barn on the walls and trim, and used barn track, handles, and hinges on the doors. We’ve found rusty, out-dated tack and tools (bits, harnesses, saws, and such) from our past visits to flea markets and auctions, and hung them up as well. Even the shelves in the bar are made from the wood slats of our old barn. In adding to the charm of the room, my collection of old hardback books is housed alongside the fireplace. Between the smell of the old books, infused with leather tack and cut lumber, this room has got to be one of my favorites in the house.

             Why am I talking about this? Because as I look at the snug little corner of the house we’ve built together, I can’t help but reminisce over the uniqueness of the items within it. Most of the things are too old or dilapidated to be used for their original intent, but, as décor, we’ve given them a new purpose. Besides creating an atmosphere of walking into an old western saloon, the bits and pieces of history dangling from every corner of the room or sitting atop aged shelves are great topics of conversation.
             As you can see, antiques have a special place in my heart. Akin to the books we write, the pieces of forgotten furniture, tossed out tools, and tattered horse tack have stories of their own. The dust, grime, and chipped paint add dimension to the object, just as personality flaws and weaknesses add dimension to our beloved characters. The weathered wood and broken hardware display evidence of a long hard life, just as scars, wrinkles, and imperfections support a character’s growth throughout the expanse of the plot.
            As I’m surrounded by all the old-fashioned objects in my family room, I hear the echoes of their tales long forgotten. And by repairing and restoring them to near perfect condition, I’ve given them new life.

 Recent Release
            Segueing into my recent release, The Fall Of Rain, I’ve breathed new life into my historical characters by giving my readers the final book of the Emerald Isle Trilogy. While Raeliksen and Mac Liam take place in the tenth century during the tumultuous time of seafaring Viking warriors and proud Irish chieftains, the third book spins a whole new twist on the series, bringing the reader full circle in an unpredictable contemporary tale of love and sacrifice.
            I hope you enjoy! 

What others are saying…

            “If you enjoy historical romances and love a story with men you would love to sink your teeth into, this is your series to get lost in. Not an ounce of disappointment to found in the pages of these books.” ~ Rose That Rules All – MAGNIFICENT!
Romancing The Book

             “If I was told I only had one word to describe The Fall of Rain (the entire Emerald Island Trilogy, for that matter), it would have to be “FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!” This story deserves so much more than just a 5 star rating, in my opinion. Renee Vincent weaves a tale of everlasting love that transcends the boundaries of time, adding just the right twists and turns to keep you guessing. The Fall of Rain is the perfect ending, wrapping the entire trilogy up into one perfect package.”
5 Stars! ~ Coffee Beans and Love Scenes

 The Fall of Rain
By Renee Vincent
http://www.reneevincent.com
 Available at: Amazon | Kindle | B&N Nook | ARe | Smashwords | Turquoise Morning Press

 Blurb:
            Leif Dæganssen, an archeologist from Norway, is determined to trace back his Scandinavian roots as far as the Dark Ages and find proof of their existence on the Emerald Isle. After several years of living off the west coast of Ireland, he finally uncovers an ancient artifact—an intricately decorated chest with pagan carvings—buried beneath the very porch of his coastal cottage. Knowing it only confirms the presence of a glorified Norse-influenced settlement on Inis Mór, he’s determined to establish a link between himself and those who once inhabited the rugged isle.
            For as long as she can remember, Lorraine O’Connor has had dreams of a Norse warrior kissing her. And even though she’s never fully understood the reason for her vivid subconscious imagination, she welcomes the meaningless and wanton pleasure of being in a Viking’s protective embrace—until the day she meets that brazen Northman on an impulsive vacation trip to Ireland.
            Though blindsided by the relevance of her dreams and the strange familiarity of the man within them, Lorraine can’t help but feel a deep-seated intimacy toward Leif. And the more she gets to know him, the more she’s convinced they’ve shared a life together in a time long forgotten.
            Are the clues to their ancestral past hidden within the contents of the chest or buried deep within their hearts?

 About Renee:
            I am an author with a passionate interest in Irish and Norse history. I live in the rolling hills of Kentucky with my husband and two children on a beautiful secluded farm of horses and hay fields.
            I am a sucker for a good cup of coffee (lots of cream and sugar…and whipped cream if I can get my hands on it), great conversation, and a lilting Irish accent. I love to read and I can’t resist watching great epic historical movies.
            Find me at:
Website: http://www.reneevincent.com/ 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reneevincentauthor 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ReneeVincent 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3005290.Renee_Vincent