The #BlackHillsWolves Blog Hunt Races on with Debut Author Merryn Dexter

It is with great pride and pleasure that I introduce you to a debut author who received her very first contract for the outstanding A Mate's Healing Touch which is an upcoming release from the Black Hills Wolves. I can honestly say when I read her book, I was blown away. She loves all of these characters as much as we do! Without further ado, please welcome Merryn Dexter.

My First Experience of Writing

Although my first published work (I cannot believe that I can write those words!) will be an upcoming story in the Black Hills Wolves series, I started writing a long time ago. When I was in my late twenties I was going through a pretty unhappy time in my life. I was living with someone who was not good for me, I was unhappy at work and feeling pretty isolated from my family and friends. Like many of us, my escape was into books.

A particular favorite series of mine was The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. There is a character in the series called Lan Mandragoran. He is still one of my favorite Alpha males of all time. A soldier, a man burdened by his heritage as the Lost King of the Malkier. Remote, brooding, just needing the right woman to crack his heart open. Lan had it all going on in spades.

I wasn’t a great user of the Internet back then, but one day I decided to Google and see if anyone else loved these books as much as I did. It was one of the best things I ever did as I found a wonderful community of like-minded people from all over the world. They had discussion boards, chat rooms on IRC, we used ICQ to chat to each other (I know, I’m showing my age LOL). Best of all, you could create characters that would fit into the world and have your own adventures. 

You could become an Aiel – a mystical warrior; you could join the White Tower and train to use the One Power; or you could become a lunatic warrior member of The Band of the Red Hand who bashed Trollocs heads in with a morning star and rode an equal crazy horse called Dovienya. (Guess which one I chose!)

I became Lilliandra – Lilli to her friends (and I can happily say that there are some people who I am still friends with 17 years later who call me Lilli). I rode my crazy horse into battle, I killed monsters, I fell in love, I went crazy and turned to the Dark Side – there was nothing I couldn’t do with a little bit of imagination and some time at my keyboard.

Being Lilli saved me. Writing saved me. Escaping the unhappiness of real life, I was able to talk to people and be myself again. Those friends help me realize what I wanted from life and gave me the courage to change what wasn’t working for me in the real world.

In 2001, I got on a plane and flew to the U.S. to meet a load of strangers, people just like me who sat behind a screen and had adventures. I met my friends and had a wonderful time and when I got home I started a new job which introduced me to the man who became my husband. We have been married for ten years and my life has changed exponentially.

Reading is a skill, a gift, a portal into worlds I never dreamed of. Now I have the chance to be that portal, to help others step away from the harshness of the real world and dream, and rest and revive themselves. It is the most amazing thing in the world.

I’d love to hear what books or series are special to you. Do you have a particular book or character that inspired you, or spoke to you? It can be as light or as heavy as you want, I’m always on the lookout for new adventures!

Cheers! Merryn

You can find me online at the following places. I’d love to hear from you, I mostly talk about books (and beer!) but I’ll happily chat about anything you like.

Facebook  | Twitter | Website  | Blog  | Pinterest 

One lucky commentator will win a copy of Reluctant Mate by Chandra Ryan and Diamond Moon by Celia Breslin.  Don't forget to check out Taryn Kincaid's blog for more blog hunt goodness!

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