Tuesday, October 1, 2019

This week in The Loft: Author Holly Bargo!

After much delay, I am back. I will be playing catch-up for the next few weeks, so I will be publishing author interviews at more frequent intervals.

Joining me this week in The Loft is author Holly Bargo. Holly has been writing since she first learned to hold a pencil. The author of more than 20 books, she has penned everything from contemporary to paranormal and fantasy romance. She currently resides on a hobby farm in southwest Ohio with her husband and a menagerie of four-legged critters. 



Author Holly Bargo

S:  Welcome, Holly! I have to tell you, you are living my fantasy life. I dream about living on a hobby farm. For me, that's the perfect setting for retirement.


Tell me, why did you become a writer?


H:  I have always told stories, even if I only told them to myself. Eventually, I realized that I was writing and telling stories that I liked and wanted to read, but could not find. Convinced of my own worthiness, I began writing for publication. 


S:  What attracts you to the romance genre? 

H:  I like romance because I believe in love. Since I began reading romance in the 1970s, I’ve seen some distinct trends come and go. Currently, I think romance is backsliding with regard to social responsibility to readers, but it’s still my go-to genre. I love the way it assumes that women’s happiness and fulfillment are of crucial importance. No other genre does that. 

S:  I have to agree with you. I think our responsibility to readers is an issue that has to be addressed. We have a lot of influence, so we need to be careful about the way we craft stories. It is just too easy to lead impressionable readers astray.

Do you believe in love at first sight? 

H:  Absolutely, but it’s never happened to me, unless you include me and various four-legged beasties. The first time I saw Holly Bargo, with a foal at her side, I knew I had to have her. Something about that horse struck me as perfect. The same thing happened years later when I saw my other horse, Lady Anastasia, a spirited, demanding horse who gave me what I needed when I needed it. Love at first sight these days is often portrayed as “instalust,” a term I consider derogatory.

S:  What attracted you to your current partner? 

H:  My current partner is the first man I kissed and to whom I lost my virginity—on our wedding night. I met him when he was still dating a girl who worked for my father. I thought nothing of it: we traded quips and friendly insults. In college, we finally connected on a romantic level. He’s my best friend who understands me better than anyone else and can always makes me laugh.

S:  These days, that's a pretty amazing story, but a lovely one. 


How do you want to be remembered? 

H:  The answer to that depends upon who remembers me. I hope my children will remember me as loving them, even if that love was tough. I hope my husband will remember me as his best friend who supported him regardless of whatever hobby captured his fancy. I hope that my brothers will remember me with fondness, despite knowing that their sister never really got it all together. I hope my friends remember me as someone they could count on, someone who was always glad to see them and hear from them. And I hope readers remember me as an author whose books they enjoyed.

S:  What a great answer!

Tell me about your book, "The Eagle at Dawn."

H:  Sure. "The Eagle at Dawn" is the fourth book in the Immortal Shifters series, but can be read as a complete, standalone novel with no cheating and a guaranteed HEA. Here's the blurb--

When Rachel's brother uses her as collateral to settle a debt with an outlaw motorcycle gang, she flees to a local bar and pleads with a darkly handsome stranger to help her. His help results in homicide. When eagle shifter Diego's vacation is interrupted by the innocent young woman he recognizes as his mate, he flees with her across national borders, because she's his and he's not letting her go.

Having essentially swapped one captor for another, Rachel knows the dashing, sexy Spaniard is keeping secrets from her. He showers her with kindness and generosity in exchange for her obedience. Diego's control over her and his secrets elicit her distrust and resentment.


When freedom beckons, Rachel answers its call; however, freedom brings hardship and indignity. Will she return to the controlling alpha make who stirs her blood or cling stubbornly to her freedom?



S:  Wow. That sounds fascinating. Where can readers find your book?

H:  It's available on Amazon. Here's the link--

S:  Holly, thanks so much for joining me today! If you would like to learn more about Holly and her books, visit--

Website:  https:/www.henhousepublishing.com

3 comments:

  1. Great interview! I have always loved the story of how Holly Bargo (the name) came to be! It was awesome to meet your husband at the Springfield OH Book Fair, he's a great guy but I am biased and think he's the luckier one! You should hear the story of their wedding, that's definitely one for the generations!

    Dee
    #PMInc

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    1. Oh, yeah, that's one for the grandchildren. Let's just say that it's a good thing neither my husband nor I believe in omens. We celebrated our 31st anniversary this year.

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  2. Thank you for interviewing me! I appreciate the opportunity. Anyone who wants to contact me can do so through the the Hen House Publishing website: https://www.henhousepublishing.com/contact.html.

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