Casey Cline: Author Spotlight on Island of Intrigue & a Giveaway
I’m excited to welcome fellow Scrivenings Press author Casey Cline to the blog this week! Casey’s spotlighting her new release, An Island Intrigue, which is the second book in her Bird’s-Eye View series.
Be sure to comment below by September 22 for a chance to win your choice of book one or book two in Casey’s series! (US winner can choose paperback, eBook, or audiobook. If the winner is from the UK, you’ll receive an audiobook)
Welcome, Casey! The floor (or blog) is yours!
I had such fun writing the pretend journal entry below from Georgina Wright, the heroine of my historical romance novel, An Island Intrigue, which takes place in the Hawaiian Islands in 1873. I hope you enjoy it!
January 1873
Georgina Wright’s Guide to the Optimal Spot for a First Kiss
A volcano. Yes, a volcano. I know how my older brother and the other naysayers would object: “That sounds dangerous” or “That’s not a wise course of action” or “That doesn’t sound very romantic.”
Well, cast aside the strictures of reason for a moment (I promise it’s very freeing as I do it all the time) and consider the ways a first kiss beside a volcanic crater is a very, very good idea.
First, the glow. With the sun below the horizon and darkness blanketing the top of the volcano (in my case, Mauna Loa on the Hawaiian Islands), the ethereal glow cast by the active pit of lava will surely present me in a favorable light to the bestower of my first kiss, which in my case, is Dr. Joseph Livingston Jr.
Or at least I hope so.
Admittedly, it remains to be seen whether the volcanic-inspired radiance will sway him. His feelings toward me on the trip thus far have been rather difficult to discern, other than those bordering on dislike.
But I digress. On to the second point in favor of a kiss atop a volcano—the breathlessness. At nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, the air is already thin. What better way to add to that lightheaded giddiness than with a kiss?
Third, the heat. Towering thousands of feet above the hot and humid tropics, the chill of the mountainous elevation has seeped deep into my bones. Campfires along the crater’s rim add some heat to the volcano’s efforts, but what will surely do an even more thorough job of warding off the cold? Kissing. Especially whilst ensconced in the warmth of the coat of the man doing said kissing.
With all of the above justifications in favor of the action, I’ve wholly made up my mind. I will attempt to kiss Joseph. Tonight. Beside the campfire near the crater’s edge. Wish me luck!
Author Casey Cline here, chiming in again. I suppose you deduced from Georgina’s entry that her personality is, well, headstrong and adventurous. Which clashes with her reserved and rather standoffish traveling companion, Dr. Joseph Livingston Jr.
Both are traveling with (real-life) English explorer, Isabella Bird, the fascinating woman from history who inspired (and appears in) my Bird’s-Eye View novel series. My fictional characters experience a lot of the real people and places Isabella experienced all those years ago, including ascending Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii like this excerpt is about.
My characters also experience pain, heartbreak, and woe. Both have flaws to overcome, feelings about themselves that make them afraid to be their true, imperfect selves. But by being tried and tested by each other, the island landscape, and their shared experiences, hope blooms, as does a beautiful love between them.
You may be wondering, what comes of Georgina’s rather bold plan to kiss Joseph? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out. 😉
Thanks so much for sharing about your new release, Casey. I loved reading your creative excerpt about Georgina’s plan to kiss Joseph. It was such a fun way to introduce your characters to us. The story sounds wonderful, and I wish you great success with this new book!
Visit the #HopeFilledFiction blog and comment on Casey Cline’s book spotlight by 9/22 for a chance to win book one or two in her Bird’s Eye View series! #giveaway #HistoricalRomance
TweetJoin the conversation. Have you read book one, The Wayfaring Widow yet? Does An Island Intrigue sound like a story you’d like to read? Are you a Historical Fiction fan? What questions or comments do you have for Casey?
Be sure to comment below by September 22 for a chance to win your choice of book one or book two in Casey’s series! (US winner can choose paperback, eBook, or audiobook. If the winner is from the UK, you’ll receive an audiobook)
An Island Intrigue by Casey Cline
Click the book cover for purchase link
A woman as untamed as the islands themselves. A guarded doctor who can heal every hurt but his own. Will their differences bind or break them?
For Georgina Wright, traveling to the Hawaiian Islands in 1873 with famed explorer Isabella Bird is the adventure of a lifetime. After years under her older brother’s protection, Georgina is eager for adventure, independence, and the chance to prove she is capable of more than anyone believes.
But her long-awaited journey comes with an unexpected condition: the presence of Dr. Joseph Livingston Jr., a guarded physician whose cool reserve is as frustrating as it is intriguing. Certain his peculiarities make him a burden, Joseph believes keeping others at arm’s length is the safest kindness he can offer. Georgina’s bold spirit, however, unsettles every wall he has built.
Across stormy seas, volcanic heights, and hidden island dangers, Georgina must learn the cost of acting before thinking, while Joseph must face the deeper danger of never acting at all. When hurtful words and dangerous choices threaten to divide them, the pair must decide whether two imperfect hearts can risk being truly known.
Find out more about book one, The Wayfaring Widow, HERE.
Click here to watch the “An Island Intrigue” book trailer.
Casey Cline collects hobbies and pursuits as quickly as she reads books. She likes to believe her degrees and licenses in business, law, and real estate aren’t entirely incongruous with writing historical stories about the ultimate adventure in life—love. Casey lives in Nebraska with her husband, two daughters, and three cats.
Connect with Casey: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Amazon / BookBub / Goodreads
Please share Casey’s spotlight post on social media to help spread the word about her books!
If you missed Johanna Rojas Vann’s interview about her new release, Where Wilted Flowers Bloom, FIND IT HERE.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
34 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Roxanne! You’re the giveaway winner. Please follow the instructions in the email I’ll send you to claim your prize. Thanks to all for reading Casey’s post and joining the conversation!
Teresa Bass
I would love to read An Island Intrigue but would love to read a Warfaring Widow first so I stay in the series. They sound great!
Casey Cline
Though An Island Intrigue can be read as a standalone, the books are best enjoyed in order. The Wayfaring Widow will take you on a journey through 1854 America. Georgina does appear in it at age 3!
Deena Adams
Me, too, Teresa. I have The Wayfaring Widow on my Kindle but launch team books have taken my reading time. I will get to it at some point, and I’m looking forward to it! Thanks for joining the conversation.
Crystan
The setting and the characters sound like so much fun. I’ll definitely have to add this to my TBR list.
Casey Cline
It was definitely an intimidating book to write, to make sure I captured the historical details correctly of the islands at that time. But I’m very pleased with how it turned out. I do hope you get a chance to read (or listen) to it!
Deena Adams
Thanks for adding Casey’s book to your TBR list, Crystan! I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it.
Vickie
A kiss at a volcano! Oh my, you got my attention. These characters sound great. I also love that this is historical fiction. I love that genre.
Casey Cline
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Georgina’s actions do tend to attract attention, and sometimes not the favorable kind. I hope you get a chance to read (or listen) to it!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Vickie! The book does sound good, doesn’t it?!
Cherie J
I haven’t read any books by Casey Cline. It sounds like a great story. I enjoy reading historical fiction.
Casey Cline
I’m a relatively new author, so I’d be surprised if you’ve heard of me before now. 😉 I like reading historical fiction too – I feel like I learn something new every time. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Deena Adams
Thanks for joining the conversation, Cherie! I hope you’ll get a chance to read Casey’s books soon.
Caryn Hoang
These books look really fun!
Deena Adams
I’m glad you think so, Caryn. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Casey Cline
They were a lot of fun to write! Thanks for reading the article and commenting!
Kera
This sounds like a good book I like suspense and historical fiction
Casey Cline
Thanks for reading and sharing, Kera! I always love learning something new about history when I read too.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for reading Casey’s post and commenting, Kera!
Cyndi Newlan
Georgina sounds alot like me… headstrong! Lol. I’m liking Georgina already. I haven’t read either book yet, but they sound like something I would enjoy reading!
Deena Adams
I hope you get a chance to read Casey’s books soon, Cyndi. Thanks for stopping by!
Casey Cline
I’m right there with you, Cyndi. There is so much of me in Georgina – for good or for bad. It was vulnerable to write her, most definitely. But I hope her redemptive character arc resonates with readers!
Diana Hardt
Thanks for an interesting post. It sounds like a really interesting book.
Deena Adams
I’m happy to share about Casey’s book, Diana! Thanks for reading and joining the conversation.
Casey Cline
Thanks for reading the post and sharing your thoughts, Diana!
Lynn Moore
Well now….Georgina is certainly a planner! Her plot for that first kiss has all the makings of a “perfect” moment! 💋
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading Casey’s post and commenting, Lynn! Georgina sounds like a firecracker, doesn’t she?
Casey Cline
Do her plans work out or go awry?? Hopefully you get a chance to read the book and find out!
Roxanne C.
Georgina Is certainly a brave, bold, and daring woman. Now my interest is piqued by her plan. Will it succeed? I definitely enjoyed The Wayfaring Widow. A trip to the Hawaiian Islands in 1873 sounds very exotic and adventurous.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for reading Casey’s spotlight and commenting, Roxanne!
Casey Cline
Too bold? She’s definitely intrigued by Joseph. Does he return her sentiments? Is he caught off guard, but perhaps pleasantly so? Too many outcomes, but which really happens in the book? I know! 🙂
Elly
I haven’t read either one yet, but I want to so badly!!
Deena Adams
They’re on my list, too, Ella!
Casey Cline
I hope you do get a chance, Elly! Though I know everyone’s TBR piles are already so long. Audio just came out for An Island Intrigue if you “read” books that way too. Thanks for reading and commenting!