I’m very pleased to have historical romance author Brenda Jernigan visiting the blog today. Brenda’s books have won The Book Seller’s Best Award, the Maggie Award, and the prestigious Holt Medallion. As Publishers Weekly said, her books are all about “romance, adventure, and magic.”
Like many wonderful authors, some of Brenda’s books have been out of print or just too darn hard to get. Fortunately, digital and indie publishing has changed all that. Here’s what Brenda herself has to say on the subject:
I’m Brenda Jernigan and I’ve been writing for what seems like a long time. I sold my first book on April Fool’s day 1978. I like that. At least I can always remember when I first sold!
I’ve taken the last few years off from writing. Between writing books and driving 45 minutes each way to a regular job it became too much, so I called a halt to everything and cancelled the last 2 books of my last contract. However, now that I’ve retired it is fun to pick up the books again. I’ve been trying to get all my old books into e-book format for everyone who has an e-reader.
And we’re certainly glad you have, Brenda! And the book we’re featuring today looks awesome–it’s called Christmas in Camelot. How perfect for the upcoming holiday season!
Isn’t that a beautiful cover? And I am so down with the idea of spending Christmas in Camelot! This book got great reviews, including this one from Pages Magazine:
“Brenda Jernigan does what no other author has accomplished yet: create a special place of honor for you at fabled Camelot’s Christmas holiday celebration. It’s a fresh change of pace and picked number 1 in my book.”
Here’s the blurb for Christmas in Camelot:
The Greatest Gifts . . . Are always unexpected . . .
There was a king – King Arthur of Camelot
There was a knight – Sir Nicholas the Dragon
There was a wager that each swore he would win . . .
Lady Noelle has no intention of marrying just to save her family’s castle. She feels nothing for Sir Gavin, the man who will become her husband on Christmas Day. Then she spies Camelot’s newest knight, the notorious Sir Nicholas the Dragon, a champion as renowned for his prowess in the beds of Camelot’s maidens as for his skill in battle. Noelle’s heart has found the man she longs for, even as her hand is promised to another.
Christmas may never come to Camelot.
Sounds great! To read an excerpt and to check out Brenda’s other books, visit her website. Brenda is currently putting her backlist up in digital, which is great news for her readers!
For my readers today, Brenda is giving away a copy of Christmas in Camelot. I always loved reading the legends of King Arthur, and I really enjoy all the various movies and TV shows that recreate the legends. Who’s your favorite Camelot character? Or is there any TV show or movie adaptation that you particularly liked? Just tell us to win a copy of Brenda’s fab book!
CHRISTMAS IN CAMELOT looks and sounds just wonderful.
I’ve always enjoyed learning more about the Merlin. There are so many different legends & myths. The magic draws me in.
Merlin is cool, Mary. I just loved the Mary Stewart trilogy about him.
I love Merlin also. Needless to say I’m a BIG Harry Potter fan. 🙂
I remember seeing Camelot with Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave on tv when I was a kid. I was fascinated by the idea of magic and the beauty and romance of the time. Your book sounds fabulous, so glad I checked in today or I might have missed knowing about another great Christmas novel.
Ann, I loved that movie when I was a kid. I cried buckets at the end!
Thanks Ann, I hope you enjoy the book. I read it every year at Christmas. And I just ordered Vanessa’s book. Looks good.
This book sounds great. I love the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable. The Lady of the Lake, Lancelot, Guinivere, Arthur, & Merlin were all interesting charcters. I like the idea of the story being set during Christmas.
It’s a great concept, isn’t it, Sheryl?
Christmas is my favorite time of the year, Sheryl.
I love the whole concept of Camelot, the falling in love with someone who is not your intended…just a great storyline 🙂
Isn’t, Eva? I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Eva,
This is the fastest book that I every wrote.
I love to read abut knights of the round table. There is an old movie called Prince Valiant starring James Mason & Janet Leigh. Thanks for giveaway/contest
I LOVED that movie, Belinda! Tony Curtis was Prince Valiant, wasn’t he? So fun!
Wait, it was Robert Wagner!
I never saw that Belinda. Is anybody watching Once Upon a Time. Boy have they screwed up the stories that we grew up on.
There was a TV series called Camelot on early this year that I only saw 1 season of it had Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, I liked his dark slightly disturbed version quite a bit.
Yeah, I started to watch that too. Really good, Rebecca.
I don’t remember that one Rebecca. Sounds like I missed a good one. One of the many problems with 2 many channels to watch.
Sounds wonderful. My favorite is Richard Gere as Lancelot and Sean Connery as King Arthur in First Knight. Has a kiss in there that is my absolute favorite!!!
That was a very romantic movie, catslady. One of my faves!
Now this movie I have in my library, catslady. I really enjoyed the movie!
I love reading romances with a Christmas twist. And the time of Camelot was so magical and honorable. I made scandal so easy to happen.
Thanks for the contest. Your book sounds charming.
It does sound charming, Brenda!
Thanks Brenda. I will tell you a funny story. It seemss there really is a Noelle Mallory who sent me and e-mail after the book was published. She wanted to know where I got the name. Well I made it up like we do all names. She worked at headquarters for Microsoft and everyone in the office had a copy of the book and were teasing her, so she had to read it too. Small world. She turned out to be alot more interesing than me. Her father was in the CIA and she jumped horses professionally. I was dull in compareson.
First Knight. I love Sean Connery. I also love holiday themed books so I will defiantly be reading this.
Great movie, Lori!
Lori,
Sean Connery is who I picture as King Author. He’s perfect!
I rather like The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It’s more of a feminist approach and it was unique. 🙂
I think people forget how ground-breaking that book really was, May.
I have seen the books May, but haven’t read them.
OMG… The musical Camelot… Robert Goulet.. what a wonderful voice.. shivers me still..
I love musicals CateS but I’ve not seen that one.
I really like the MERLIN television series with Sam Neill.
OK Debra,
Now I feel like I live in a cave. I missed that one.
I liked Merlin.
I do too but I want Merlin to be strong. No weak Merlin for me.
My fav is definitely Merlin… but i’ve always found it such a sad story.
Linda,
My story isn’t sad but funny. We all need a laugh. Thanks.
I was always facinated by Merlin and The Lady of the Lake. Your book sounds great!!
Thanks Kat.