Guest Author: Jannine Corti Petska

I have a fun return guest blogger today.  She’s Jannine Corti Petska and she writes historical romance in unusual and very cool settings like Medieval Italy (although she has been known to write the occasional Western historical, too).  I’m going to turn the blog over to Jannine, as she happens to be writing about one of my favorite subjects–dogs!

My Dogs Inspire My Characters

I’ve been a dog lover my entire life. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have at least one or two (or three or four). So it’s not surprising that my dogs inspire how I write my characters.

It’s a proven fact that petting dogs (maybe cats, too, but I’ve never had a cat) help lower blood pressure. No matter what is going on in my life, good or bad, my dogs have been there for me, a valuable source of comfort. They’re non-judgmental and ask for little. And the unconditional love they have is something most humans don’t. So how do my dogs inspire me when my characters are mostly judgmental and demand (mainly in the first half of my books) to have their way?

When I began writing historical romances 30 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom who suffered from panic attacks. Just the thought of leaving the house triggered an attack. I was also agoraphobic. Looking back, I was somewhat of a recluse. When my husband was at work and my three daughters in school, dogs were my constant companions. And my sounding boards.

How’s that, you ask? Without being part of a writer’s group back then, I had no one to bounce ideas off of. So my dogs became not only my plotting friends but also great listeners—a captive audience. Occasionally when one lifted his head, I understood that as “You’ve got to be kidding!” So I rewrote the scene or came up with a new idea.

After years of writing, I realized my heroes and heroines are a lot like my dogs. Here are a few examples.

–Dogs give unconditional love. By the end of my story, my hero and heroine also give unconditional love to one another.

–Dogs mark their territory. My hero does this with the heroine, and without lifting his leg. His is more hands on.

–Dogs eat out of your hand. Before long, the heroine has the hero eating out of her hand, although real food is seldom involved.

–Dogs are loyal. My hero and heroine are very loyal to each other and do not stray. Okay, dogs do stray, but that’s only to mark their territory.

–Dogs lift my spirits when I’m down and see me through tough times. My hero and heroine do this throughout the entire story in subtle ways. Although, they don’t lick each other’s face.

–Dogs chase cats. My hero chases felines…the two-legged kind.

–Dogs lie on their backs to get their stomach scratched. No need to compare this one.

–Dogs sniff private parts. Let’s not go there either.

Dogs have so many other behaviors: gobbling their food: humping legs (we’ll leave this one alone, too);  drinking from the toilet (hero hanging head over the toilet); biting and playing (you be the judge of this one); cocking their heads (I wonder if they can raise a single eyebrow too).

The list goes on and on. However, the single most trait dogs have that my hero or heroine do not (and never will—thank God for that!)—saying hello by peeing.

Do your pets have human characteristics? If you’re a writer, do you use them in your writing? If you’re not a writer, which human characteristics do you most see in your pet?

And here’s some info on Jannine’s latest books:

THE LILY AND THE FALCON, book 1 of the Italian medieval series

Bianca degli Albizzi is outraged when sworn enemy Cristiano de’ Medici asks for her hand in marriage. With her father’s blessing, she weds the handsome warrior to end the war between Florence’s two powerful families. But headstrong Bianca vows to teach her husband that loyalty cannot be bought…not even by seduction.

Cristiano, a well-known warrior with the wealth of a king, could have any woman he desires. But for the sake of peace he ends up with a defiant bride who awakens his deepest passion. Her vengeful scheming puts them both in peril, but is he prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the woman who has stolen his heart?

SURRENDER TO HONOR, book 2 of the Italian medieval series

Prima Ranieri seeks retribution for her family’s death and loss of home and land. Her plans go awry when the heir to the powerful Massaro family returns home. After only one glance, Prima’s attraction to him undermines her furor toward those she blames for her plight.

After a fifteen year absence, Antonio Massaro returns to Palermo to find a war raging between his family and the evil Falcone. His refusal to accept his rightful position as the head of the Honored Society carries serious consequences. The welfare of the people of Palermo is at stake. But one look at the beautiful woman Prima has become costs him his heart. She’s a deadly distraction…one that jeopardizes her life as well as his own.

 


Guest Author: Jannine Corti Petska & Giveaway!

As my readers already know, I love historical romance.  No surprise, right?  So it makes me very happy to have a fellow historical romance writer on the blog today, and one who writes outside the standard, sometimes very confining boxes.  She’s Jannine Corti Petska and she’s the author of historical fiction novels and romances set in a variety of different time periods and locations, and with really interesting heroes and heroines–including a gypsy, an Italian knight, a professional gambler in the Old West, and a French spy in Naples.  Cool!

Jannine is hear today to tell us a little bit about her herself and new book, set in Medieval Italy.  Take it away, Jannine!

SURRENDER TO HONOR is the second book of my 4-book Italian medieval series. It’s set in 15th century Palermo and takes a look at the beginning of the Mafia.

What genres besides your own do you like to read in?

I read romantic suspense. I also love to read autobiographies and biographies of celebrities from the golden era of Hollywood as well as those of Italian soccer stars.

Do you do a lot of reading while you’re writing a book, or does that mess with your voice?

I haven’t had time to read an entire book in years, which is unfortunate. There are so many great stories I’ve missed out on. However, I’ll try to find a book that’s around my era, and when I get stuck or feel like I’m straying from the era, I’ll read a few paragraphs and get back into medieval or western mode. The problem is, 99% of my medievals are set in Italy. It’s not a place where books are usually set.

I don’t think it messes with my voice. At least I’ve never felt it was a problem.

Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

I used to, but the older I get, the more peace and quiet I need so I can concentrate. <g>

You’re stranded on a deserted island and can only have two luxury items with you.  What would they be?

I’ve answered a question like this before. I can’t recall what I said, but at this moment it would be a computer and never-ending coffee. I think a hunky guy would be a distraction, lol. Of course, I’d have to have at least one dog.

I can definitely relate to having a dog with you.  And now, a little info about Jannine’s series…

THE LILY AND THE FALCON, book 1 of Jannine’s Italian medieval series

Bianca degli Albizzi is outraged when sworn enemy Cristiano de’ Medici asks for her hand in marriage. With her father’s blessing, she weds the handsome warrior to end the war between Florence’s two powerful families. But headstrong Bianca vows to teach her husband that loyalty cannot be bought…not even by seduction.

Cristiano, a well-known warrior with the wealth of a king, could have any woman he desires. But for the sake of peace he ends up with a defiant bride who awakens his deepest passion. Her vengeful scheming puts them both in peril, but is he prepared to sacrifice his life to safeguard the woman who has stolen his heart?

SURRENDER TO HONOR, book 2 of Jannine’s Italian medieval series

Prima Ranieri seeks retribution for her family’s death and loss of home and land. Her plans go awry when the heir to the powerful Massaro family returns home. After only one glance, Prima’s attraction to him undermines her furor toward those she blames for her plight.

After a fifteen year absence, Antonio Massaro returns to Palermo to find a war raging between his family and the evil Falcone. His refusal to accept his rightful position as the head of the Honored Society carries serious consequences. The welfare of the people of Palermo is at stake. But one look at the beautiful woman Prima has become costs him his heart. She’s a deadly distraction…one that jeopardizes her life as well as his own. 

Oh, my gosh!  They sound wonderful, don’t they?  And so different!  Readers, check out the details on Jannine’s website, which includes excerpts, buy links, and reviews for all her books.

And for my readers today, Jannine is giving away a copy of one of her books.  Just tell me which type of romantic hero you’d prefer to woe you:  an Italian knight, a gypsy lover, or a French spy?  One person who comments will win a copy of Jannine’s book!

 


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