TJ Bennett is the author of "Dark and Daring Romance" and a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart nominee. TJ writes "outside the box" historical romance featuring richly detailed settings and unusual subjects. Her critically-acclaimed debut novel, THE LEGACY, was rated a "Buried Treasure 2008" and a “Desert Isle Keeper” by the influential reader site All About Romance. The Historical Novel Society deemed THE LEGACY “a solid historical romance from a promising debut author.” THE LEGACY, set in 16th century Reformation Germany during the Peasant Revolution, was also a finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence contest, the Book Buyers Best Award, and the Holt Medallion. TJ’s newest release, THE PROMISE, follows a mercenary during Charles V’s Italian campaigns. THE PROMISE was awarded TOP PICK status by Night Owl Romance and given four stars by Romantic Times BOOKReviews, which called TJ an “author to watch.” Eye on Romance’s Historical Romance Writers’ reviewer says TJ is a “master at writing historical fiction.”

FF: Welcome to Fresh Fiction, TJ. Tell us a little more about your work.

TJ: I’d like to thank Fresh Fiction for having me here today to talk about my latest release, THE PROMISE. This is a story of love, redemption, and the power of a promise. In 1525, a German mercenary (a Landsknecht) in the service of Emperor Charles V must overcome his own wounded heart and convince a reluctant widow to marry him in order to keep a promise to a dying friend. A gypsy’s curse on every man who loves her forces the Spanish beauty to rebuff him, but their passion for one another is stronger than the mysterious misfortune that seems to plague any with the courage to defy the curse. THE PROMISE features the brother of my printer hero from THE LEGACY, my debut novel.

I was inspired to write THE PROMISE while writing THE LEGACY. I realized my printer hero Wolf in the first book had a middle brother, Günter, who showed up in my story demanding his own book. I made him a Landsknecht because I could not get the harsh and yet exciting life of these soldiers-for-hire out of my mind. Günter was a rogue, a charmer, and sexy beyond belief, as well as being very hard to say no to, so I started writing THE PROMISE almost immediately after I finished the first book. Those qualities are much on display in his story as he pursues the woman who is afraid to love him out of fear for his very life.

I hope you’ll take the time to check out my website, for book excerpts, news, and photos. I also run a blog, IMHO that features a monthly giveaway gift basket filled with autographed novels by bestselling, emerging, and debut authors along with lots of other goodies stuffed inside, including a copy of one of my own books. Every month is different, so be sure to come by and check it out. July promises to be spectacular, as I’ll be bringing over 40 RITA® nominated authors to IMHO and giving away tote bags full of their autographed books in celebration of their achievements.

www.tjbennett.com