Today, I have the pleasure of not just one guest in the “hot seat” but two. Sarah Shand and Robert Robertson, from Melanie Robertson-King’s debut novel, A Shadow in the Past, are with me here today. What you are about to learn is mind boggling, but true, so do make yourselves comfortable and enjoy my two unusual guests.
Peggy: “Welcome to both of you. Before we get started, let’s get the frilly part sorted with first. I have a bottle of single-malt Ardmore Scotland
Sarah: Opening a bottle of Irn Bru. “Thanks for having us here, Peggy. It’s great being part of Melanie’s blog tour this way. And yes, Irn Bru has been referred to as Scotland
Peggy: Raising an eyebrow. “A decent malt is what I’ve heard, but I’ll take your word for it. Anyway it’s a delight to host you both. If you change your mind on that drink, help yourself to the bubbly.”
Sarah: Sipping her drink. “Maybe after our interview, because as much as I like champagne it goes straight to my head and makes me all woozy.”
Robert: Laughing, “She’s right Peggy. If you want to get any sense out of her, keep her on the Irn Bru. Otherwise, she’ll babble on and you won’t understand a single thing she says. I’m going to have a wee dram of Ardmore
Peggy: Leaning forward and patting Robert’s leg. “A man after my own heart, do help yourself.” Sitting back in her chair and crossing her legs at the ankle. “Now have I heard this correctly, you two had a rather unusual first meeting?”
Sarah and Robert: Looking at each other, smile. “You’re right there.”
Robert: “You tell it, Sarah. It sounds so much better when you do.”
Sarah: Shifting in her chair. “You or your readers aren’t going to believe this. I still don’t. Phew where to start? ” Reaching out and taking Robert’s hand. “Talking about it always makes me a bit nervous.”
Peggy: “My dear, you’re in good company, nerves not required, so do tell us, I’m sitting her almost on the edge of my seat in anticipation.”
Sarah: Taking a deep breath. “Okay. I had been at the stone circle on my parents’ farm and the next thing I know, I’m waking up on a sofa at Weetshill mansion. You can see the mansion from the hill where the stone circle is but it’s a couple of miles away. But how I got from one place to the other, I don’t know.”
Peggy: Shaking her head. “My dear girl, that’s not overly unusual in this day and age with all these alkipop style drinks. It’s clear to me there’s more to that drink you claim to enjoy than you’re letting on.”
Sarah: “No no, it was really spooky. You see, this is where things get seriously weird. When I was at the stone circle, the year was 2010. When I woke up on the sofa at Weetshill, I was back in 1886. Believe you me, you can’t dream that up.”
Peggy: Taking a sip of her bubbly, coughs. “Good grief, I’ve come all over with goose bumps. I shudder to ask, but what happened next?”
Robert: Lowering his voice. “I heard a noise outside the front door so went to investigate. I found Sarah passed out on the ground. At first I thought she was a laddie because she wore trousers. I’ve never seen a woman in trousers before so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered she was a lassie, and a rather pretty one at that.”
Sarah: Blushing. “You say the sweetest things. I’ve never really thought of myself as that. Ordinary and some days it stretches to moderately attractive but never pretty.”
Peggy: “Pretty or otherwise, there is not doubt about it that is a most unusual meeting. So Robert, Weetshill mansion, sounds like you’re well-to-do which ever century you live in. What do you do for a living?”
Robert: “I’m the Laird of Weetshill.”
Peggy: “Like Hector MacDonald in the television program Monarch of the Glen.”
Robert: Pulling a face. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Peggy: Laughing pats him on the knee. “I’m sorry. I forgot for a moment you’re from the Victorian era, I’ll admit you’re doing a good job convincing me. ”
Sarah: “Oh believe me Peggy, Robert is from that time. Bizarre as it is and that is why Robert has no idea about television or the program Monarch of the Glen, but I can say Robert is nothing like Hector MacDonald. If you want to compare him to one of the characters in the show, I would say he’s more like Archie.”
Peggy: Smiling. “I always liked Archie. Thought he was a handsome fellow. Just like you, Robert.”
Robert: Blushing. “Thank you, Peggy.”
Sarah: Turning to Robert. “He’s so-o modest. That’s one of the things I love about him.” Reaching over and squeezing his hand.
Peggy: Picking up the book and flips through it. “I like the cover, but more importantly I’d like to ask you some more questions about your relationship because as much as I’ve seen life, I’ve not yet come across a couple who met in another century”
Robert: Holding his hand up. “Please forgive me, but I have to stop you there, I’m afraid, Peggy. We don’t want to spoil it for Melanie’s readers. We can’t tell everything here because then they wouldn’t buy the book and that would never do.”
Peggy: Tracing her index finger over the cover. “Right, right, but you can’t blame me for wanting to know. And as I just mentioned, the cover is amazing. The artist has captured your essence beautifully, Sarah.”
Sarah: “Aidana WillowRaven is the cover artist. She did a brilliant job of portraying me. And you have to believe that because I’m not one to be “out there” and now look at me.”
Peggy: Placing the book down onto the coffee table. “Your creator is a mainstream author and this is her debut novel with, 4RV Publishing, you must feel very proud.”
Sarah: “Proud is barely the word, honoured would be more correct. Melanie is a talented lady and 4RV Publishing is a great company, with really supportive and talented people there. Melanie made the right choice by signing with them.”
Where you can buy your copy of A Shadow in the Past
Here is a litte snippet about the lovey Melanie...
Melanie is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Ottawa Chapter.
She lives in Brockville , Ontario , Canada along the shore of the majestic St. Lawrence River with her husband, son and oldest grandson.
Visit Melanie's web site for more information http://www.melanierobertson-king.com/wp02
