Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Darragha Foster. Thanks for taking time to chat with me today Darragha!

To start, can you tell the FAR readers a little bit about yourself?

I always want to start the answer to this question off with a quote from the 80’s Steve Martin movie, “The Jerk.” “I was born a poor Black child. I remember the days, sittin' on the porch with my family, singin' and dancin' down in Mississippi.”

Okay, terribly dated, cliché and irreverent. You should ask me what I want to be when I grow up! All right…I’ll tell you! When I grow up I want to be A) a tall, slender Black woman with so much energy my nickname is “twister” and who used to sing back up for the Supremes like my friend, Pat, or B) a tall, pearl-wearing British woman who can clean anything with table salt and lemon juice (“How Clean is Your House” on BBCAmerica).

Truthfully, I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest my entire life. I’m short, noisy and recovering from weight loss surgery (lap band). Wish me luck at http://bandingofdarragha.blogspot.com/. I have a loving husband, an exuberant teenaged daughter, a horse, a miniature dachshund, a kitten and two old white rats. My house was built in 1890, before the invention of closets.

Of Flesh and Blood is due out October 8th from Liquid Silver Books. What can we expect to see with this story?

There are three tales in Of Flesh and Blood. Tina Holland, Celine Chatillion and I each wrote a “vampire” novella for Of Flesh and Blood. My novella is Polishing Saber and takes place in Iceland.

Polishing Saber is a vampire tale, true…but these ain’t your mama’s Carpathians. No brooding, emo, mysterious handsome vampires here. The vampire in Polishing Saber is tall, blonde and Icelandic. Saber, the heroine, finds herself trapped between a rock and a hard place when she takes up with a seemingly normal 18-year old Icelandic boy who turns out to be anything but normal, while being pursued by Gisli, the vampire and protector of Iceland’s very earthy foundations.

I learned from your blog that you are donating half of all your royalties from the sale Of Flesh and Blood to help support and save Iceland's wilderness areas. Can you tell us how this came about and why it has hit home for you?

I’ll try not to make this too lengthy…

In 1979, after a few years of research and study (yeah…I was a fun teenager, huh?) I embarked on a solo trip to Iceland. I met my pen pal, Siggi, his wife, Anna Lisa and their two year old son, Thordur. Siggi and his family have been a part of my family for nearly thirty years! In 1994 Thordur, as a lovely teenaged boy, visited us in the US. My two-year old daughter, Annalisa, formed an attachment to this wonderful kid that is completely unshakable and will ensure that our families connected for the next thirty year, plus, too. In 1997, my family returned to Iceland for a ten-day visit. It was that second trip, made while I was in serious “creative mode” for my first novel, “Love’s Second Sight,” that Iceland’s spirit really tapped my soul. I became aware of more than Iceland’s myths and legends. I became an advocate for the peaceful environmental protection movement to preserve Iceland’s vast stretches of wilderness. In early 2007, we had a short visit with Thordur, now a family man, himself, while he was in the US with his grandparents. I spoke to him about my story idea for a “Viking vampire” tale and pitched some of my research on Icelandic folk-legends with him. Iceland is one of the few countries left in the world where you are encouraged to consult a spiritualist who can communicate with “the Hidden Folk” before building. No kidding! The Hidden Folk (gnomes, trolls, etc.) still thrive in Iceland! Thordur and I discussed the process of applying for building permits in Iceland and the consequences of not adhering to the tradition of consulting the Hidden Folk before construction. In that conversation Thordur told me about an aluminum smelter company’s bid to dam and flood great tracts of land in Iceland to generate electricity. Damming and flooding land to generate electricity in a land that is nearly 100% geothermal in its power sources. I was so moved by Thordur’s gentle passion for his country, that I began researching the problem—and Polishing Saber was born.

What happens when a protector of the earth and a usurper of the earth vie for the attention of the same woman—a woman who holds the key to preservation or destruction of Europe’s largest wilderness expanse? That’s Polishing Saber.

I have long been involved in the Iceland Reforestation Project (including arranging penny drives in local elementary schools), and that is one of the non-profits I may contribute royalties to.

I also learned from your blog that you give tarot readings and are very good at it. I have to admit I’m very intrigued. Do you just need a specific question or can you do a general reading?

I come from a long line of psychics and started giving readings professionally when I was thirteen years old. I charge $5.00 per question or request to see (via email) a paid receipt for the purchase of one of my books. $5.00 or one receipt per question and you will get a reading others charge $100.00 or more for. Yep, I’m that good. I can provide references, too! (see my blog for more details— http://www.chameleons-on-plaid.com). This is such a deal— especially if you buy one of my books and ask for a reading. You get two treats for the price of one!

If you could pick any celebrity to be on the cover of your book, who would it be and why?

My first thought was: Morgan Freeman. Or maybe Sean Connery. Damn. I really haven’t written anything that they could be on the cover of, so, let’s go with this:

Love’s Second Sight: a young Mel Gibson (oh! To turn back time on that man!)
The Orca King: Adam Beach (yummo)
Cold, Hard Kash: Viggo Mortensen. Now. Please.
Teaching Old Gods New Tricks: Gary Dourdan (Warrick on CSI) and Sean Connery! I do have one he could be on the cover of! Whoohoo!
A Witch in Time: Jennifer Garner. So sweet.
Mooncusser Cove: Vanessa Williams (the former Miss America)
Of Flesh and Blood: Viggo would work for this one, too.
Upcoming: In Search of the Orca King: Adam Beach (again!)

Mooncusser Cove is currently available from Liquid Silver Books; can you tell us a little about it?

It’s a full-length bit of naughtiness about a woman who’s holding onto her land as tightly as Scarlett O’Hara held onto hers, and the man who shows her that change is good!

Mooncusser Cove is described as a modern day retelling of Frankenstein with a Brigadoon twist. Can you explain what you mean by that and how you came up with this story?

Oh, I guess it’s time to come clean here. Awhile back I was watching TV (in an ongoing effort to avoid housework, I’m certain) and caught the effervescent Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel’s “Great Hotels.” She was staying somewhere on the east coast in a little beach resort cottage called “Mooncusser.” I just had to research that word! It’s fun to say, Moooonnnncuuuuussssserrrrrrrr.

I wrapped up the real east coast legends about “Mooncussers” with my own legends about Shadow Lovers (Cold, Hard Kash was the first Shadow Lover tale), tossed in regret, passion, insatiable blood lust and one hell of a stubborn heroine and Mooncusser Cove was born. The heroine, Vesper, creates a monster (in one of her victims) and has this “forgetful aura” about her that makes folks forget she, umm…visited them.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

Like many e-authors, I have a day job. I am head secretary of a middle school. That’s right: I run the show. I spend a lot of time at the stable where we board our horse and where my daughter works.

What is the one thing you've always wanted to do but never had the courage / opportunity to try

The first thing that pops into my head is my desire to run. Yes...run through the surf and the sand like those boys in Chariots of Fire. I'd love to be "a runner." What's stopping me? Nothing now! It's just a matter of time!

If you could meet one of your characters, who would it be?

Leif Eiriksson. I’ve been in love with him for years.

What can readers look forward to from you in the next twelve months?

A sequel The Orca King called In Search of the Orca King which makes light of me, my book, snarks and romance, in general. And, Accepting the Bit a novel set at a stable. Go figure. I can’t spend all that time at a stable and not develop a plot! Accepting the Bit is going to be my first contemporary (non-paranormal) romance. I want it to be sweet, yet passionate. More of a “behind the closed door” kind of book. Can I do it? We’ll see!

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

Vote for Pedro. Eat more broccoli. Remember dark chocolate is good for your heart and please remember Darragha when making your e-book purchases!

Thanks again for taking time to answer some of my questions today Darragha!

If you'd like to read more about Darragha Foster, be sure to visit her website http://www.darraghafoster.com/.

Interviewed by: Tammy