Interview with Sweet Romance Author Marie Higgins

Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance…from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website/blog to discover more about her at http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com

Welcome back to my blog, Marie. Please tell us about your new book, Wonderland By Night.

Wonderland By Night is book #3 in my Colonial romance series. The hero, Gabriel Lawrence, has been the best friend to the heroes in books #1 and #2, and now he gets his own story.

In a world where freedom is questioned and everything is in turmoil, Lady Sarah Emiline Townshend needs to hide her identity for fear mobs will kill her and her family after her uncle—a political leader—passed laws that the good citizens in Boston did not approve of. Her father sends her to stay with some longtime friends of his in New Hampshire. But to stay safe, her maid must play Lady Sarah’s role…and Emiline will play Lady Sarah’s companion. When Emiline meets a handsome man, she suddenly wants him to look at her as a woman—not a servant. Yet, protecting her life is more important than confessing the truth.

Gabriel Lawrence’s pirate ship is almost captured and this time it was too close. He and his crew need to hide for a few months in hopes that the Royal Navy will forget about them. During his stay at his aunt and uncle’s in New Hampshire, he meets the niece of one of his enemies—Oliver Townshend. Because she doesn’t know who Gabe is, he will become close to her to see if she knows any more of her uncle’s secrets. But the beauty of her companion, Miss Emmie, captures his attention, and her quirky personality keeps him wanting more. But her over-zealous nature for adventure places both of them in danger and he’s forced to play the honorable rogue. How can he protect them both when an unknown spy is always one step ahead…and wants Gabe dead? 

Your book sounds intriguing to me. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

I’ve actually had this story idea for many years. I wanted a story where both hero and heroine were hiding their identity for some reason or another, and I wanted their secrets to clash. So in this story, if the hero discovers who the heroine really is, he won’t be able to fall in love with her because of her political uncle—hero’s enemy…and because the heroine is a Loyalists instead of the Patriot, like the hero. If the heroine finds out who the hero really is…and what he does for a living, she’ll know she cannot possibly fall in love with him because her uncle will see the hero hanged for being a traitor against the crown. (Yeah, I love conflict!)

I really don’t know (or remember) where I came up with this plot since I’ve had it for many years.

I love the clash you’ve created. What kind of research did you do for this book?

I researched Boston, Massachusetts and what was happening during this time frame. I had to research New Hampshire, because once again, this is some place I’ve never been. I also had to research their way of life back then…but since this is book #3 in the series, I pretty much knew all of that since I’d researched this before. 

You love to write sweet romances, Marie. What intrigues you most about writing love stories?

I’ve always been a romantic. I’ve read nothing but romance novels ever since I was out of school. In school I hated all the books the teachers for my English classes made me read, and now I know why…because they had no romance and no happily ever after. 

What intrigues me about writing romances is having that feeling of falling in love all over again…from the character’s first glance, their first touch and the tingles that spreads over their bodies, to the magic of their first kiss when both feel their heart melting. I love creating a plot-filled story, too, which most of my books have. I love that moment when hero and heroine realize they are in love and they cannot go through life unless the other is with them. (dreamy sigh)  I also love writing twists and turns so that my readers can’t guess my endings.

When reading love stories, I love twists and turns. I love to be surprised at the ending. I like a little adventure and drama with romance. It makes the story so much fun. Thanks, Marie, for a great interview.