Interview with Regency Romance Author Marie Higgins

Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of Christian and sweet romance novels; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. She’s been with a Christian publisher since 2010. Between those and her others, she’s published over 40 heartwarming, on-the-edge-of-your-seat stories and broadened her readership by writing mystery/suspense, humor, time-travel, paranormal, along with her love for historical romances. Her readers have dubbed her "Queen of Tease", because of all her twists and turns and unexpected endings.

“During the chaotic years when Napoleon Bonaparte’s spies were everywhere, who can one trust…especially with their heart? The Heroic Rogue Series takes the reader into the Regency era and focuses on the heroes who will do anything to save their country from being taken over by the emperor of France, but most importantly, those men who are willing to risk their lives for the women they love.”

Welcome to my blog. Where did you get your inspiration for The Heroic Rogue Series?

I honestly wish I could pinpoint this answer for you. I had originally written this story many years ago. This was one of my first major historical novels, and I recall doing a lot of research on it, because of the Colonial Era. What I think gave me inspiration for this story was the movie “The Patriot”. I was a huge Mel Gibson fan, and I was intrigued by this plot. But of course, there wasn’t enough romance in the movie, in my opinion.

Now…several years later—two months ago, in fact—I had an editor from a major publishing company tell me that Colonial romances don’t sell…but Regency romances do. So my mind went to work on how I could revise this series. It only took one day to figure out how I could accomplish this, and one week later I had all four books revised. Not bad, right?

I’m now re-introducing the Heroic Rogue Series, which are now Regency Romance Suspense novels.

Please give us a description of book one: Pretending You're Mine.

Mercedes Maxwell is devastated when her twin sister is driven to take her own life by none other than her husband, William Braxton. Determined to make her brother-in-law pay for the injustice, Mercedes travels to Dorchester, England to find him. She is shocked to find that William is unaware of his wife's death, and when Mercedes is mistaken for her sister, she decides to pose as her twin to glean some answers. Mercedes embarks on an adventure she never dreamed of in hopes of bringing justice to her sister. Instead of justice, Mercedes uncovers a plethora of secrets and mystery. As she works to unravel the mystery and discovers who she can trust, Mercedes finds that all is not as it seems, and that William Braxton may be the one man she can trust.

Now tell us about book two: After the Loving.

Marcus Thorne wears several masks in his life—playing retired pirate, Captain Hawk, is his favorite, but if his secret is discovered, he could die. Captivated by his enemy’s daughter, Marcus kidnaps her, but in turn, she captures his heart…until he discovers Isabelle is one of Napoleon’s spies with the power to endanger his life and the lives of his friends.

After her release, Isabelle can’t stop thinking about her masked abductor and how he’d stolen her heart before ridding her of his presence. Betrothed to a man who strangely reminds her of the man whose kisses set her ablaze, she marries him, only to discover he’s not who he seemed to be and is withholding secrets. But then…so is she.

Wonderland by Night is the third book. What is it about?

Lady Sarah Emiline Lucia needs to hide her identity for fear that mobs will kill her and her family after her uncle—Napoleon Bonaparte—is exiled to Melba. She is sent to Hampshire, England to stay with friends of her father. To stay safe, she must play the role of her maid, while her maid assumes Lady Sarah’s identity. Complications arise when she meets a very handsome man, and she suddenly wants him to look at her as a real woman, not a servant. Protecting her life, however, 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 Napoleon’s men who seek revenge, will soon forget about him.  During his stay at his aunt and uncle’s in Hampshire, he meets the niece of his enemy. 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?

The last book in this series is Worth Fighting For. Tell us about it.

Lindsay Lennox, daughter of the governor of Turkey, worries she’ll never have the chance to meet a man and fall in love. Being the youngest of eight daughters, it is customary for all of her sisters to marry before she can be out in society and even meet a man. Her twenty-fourth birthday is coming quickly, and she’s running out of hope. Desperation takes hold and she disguises herself as a servant in order to slip through the palace gates. Disaster strikes when she meets a handsome sea captain and is mistakenly whisked across the sea to England. Lindsay knows her only hope of salvation will be to find her Whitton relatives in England and beg for help. Unfortunately, the devastating Captain Braxton proves more temptation than her lonely heart can resist.

Where is your website and blog so my readers can check out your recent and past books that you have written?

Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – www.mariehiggins.com 

Find her on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/marie.higgins.7543

And Twitter – https://twitter.com/mariehigginsXOX

Thank you for this interview, Marie. I had one follower ask me when I would be having you on my blog again. I’m so glad that you wanted to come back. I hope my readers will check out your books.

Interview with Inspirational Author Jo Huddleston

Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author who writes novels inspired by her fascination with the 1950s and her love of her native American South. Novels in her endearing Caney Creek series, her West Virginia Mountains series, as well as her stand-alone release, Tidewater Summer, are sweet Southern romance novels. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Literary Hall of Fame at Lincoln Memorial University (TN). Visit Jo at her website (www.johuddleston.com) where you can sign up for her mailing list and read the first chapters of her novels and novellas.

Welcome to my blog once again, Jo. Please tell us about your novella, Unraveled.

Alice loses herself in grief and can’t find her way back. In 1954, twenty-six-year-old Alice Patterson undergoes a pregnancy loss that affects everything and everyone she touches. Emotionally and physically drained, she must come to terms with her traumatic loss or risk losing her husband, her best friend, and her sanity.

Her best friend JayNell and her husband Paul offer Alice support and comfort. She persists in her grieving, which hinders her healing. The doctor advises there is no normal recovery period for what Alice has undergone. Time is her best ally.

In her small southern Mississippi town, her church Sewing Circle’s new project triggers an unsettling setback to Alice’s recovery. Afterward, she succumbs to suspicions of Paul’s infidelity that causes her collapse, from which she may not recover.

Paul’s unspoken goal is that they will recapture the love they held for one another on their wedding day. He’s hopeful that the approaching spring season will bring a reawakening of the Alice he married, as it brings a newness to all living things.

Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

I wanted to write something faith-based that had some aspect of sewing as an integral focus to the plot. I chose crocheting because I enjoy that myself. My favorite place to be is at the beach—any beach—and I wove that setting into the story to be a part of the restoration Alice so tragically needs.

You love to write novellas. Why is that?

I could jokingly say that, as I advance in age, I want to write novellas because I wouldn’t want to be in the midst of writing a lengthy saga and not live long enough to finish it. However, in reality, the demand for shorter reads has grown. In our fast-paced society, where we seem to have fewer hours for the things we love to do, a novella hits the spot for an afternoon or evening of reading. Unraveled will be included later this year in a published collection of novellas titled, Threads of Faith. Earlier, I wrote the endearing Caney Creek series, The West Virginia Mountains series, and my stand-alone novel, Tidewater Summer that are all full-length novels.

That is a very good reason for writing novellas. Haha. And I totally agree with you. Tell me about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

The heroine of Unraveled is Alice who seems to go from one bad situation to another one, equally as bad or worse. Her husband Paul is a true bearer of the fruit of the Spirit in the way he reacts to his wife’s problems. Paul is long-suffering and patient when Alice directs her frustrations onto him just because he’s there. He tries so hard to please her, but in the midst of her upheavals, he doesn’t make much difference. He continues to be kind and gentle with Alice as she seeks to find her way back to normalcy. He’s a good man who sometimes is at his wit’s end to figure out a way to help Alice. But he never stops trying.

Just from that description, I know I would love Paul. He’s the kind of man that touches my heart. What is your website and blog so my readers can check out your recent and past books that you have written?

My website is http://www.johuddleston where folks can sign up for my mailing list and read for free the first chapter of all my novels and novellas. On my website I have a blog where I interview Christian fiction authors and have a book giveaway drawing each week. I also have an inspirational blog, which you can reach from my website. Anyone can use the Contact tab on my website to send me a message, which I will answer personally.

Thank you for this wonderful interview, Jo. I hope my readers will check out your books.

Interview with Christian Mystery Author Linda Shenton Matchett

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda Shenton Matchett has lived in historical places most of her life-from Edison, New Jersey (named for the famed light bulb inventor) and Washington, DC to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (reputed to be the oldest summer resort in America). A varied career has included stints as a crisis counselor, human resources professional, bed and breakfast owner, youth center director, and dining services manager. In her off hours, she can be found volunteering as a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. She is active in her church where she serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader. Linda lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with her husband, Wes and their fur-baby Ben.

Welcome to my blog, Linda. Please tell us about your novel, Under Fire, which is a Christian Mystery.

Thanks for having me. Under Fire is the story about Ruth Brown, a small-town journalist whose sister Jane, is pronounced dead after a boating accident in the Spring of 1942. Ruth is angry at God for allowing the accident. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. A series of events and discoveries raise Ruth’s suspicions about Jane’s work at the local manufacturing plant, and then additional clues send Ruth to war-torn London. During her investigation Ruth stumbles on black marketers, resistance fighters, and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead for what she uncovers.

This book sounds intriguing. Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

WWII is my favorite time period, and I am blessed to be a docent at the Wright Museum of WWII that is located in my town. An exhibit about Ernie Pyle, a famous war correspondent, made me wonder if there were any women reporters. I discovered there were more than 125 and thought it would be interesting to write a story based on their experiences. I live near Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire on which there have been many boating accidents, although I’m not aware of any that were part of a murder. After I determined my sleuth and the crime, I had to come up with the victim and the motive. I wanted to make this investigation very personal for the sleuth, so decided the victim would be her sister. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so readers will have to find out for themselves what the motive is, but let’s just say it’s war-related.

What kind of research did you do?

Research is my favorite part of the writing process, and I probably overdo it. (LOL!) I read quite a few autobiographies and memoirs by women who served as war correspondents (writers and photojournalists) during WWII. I also read a lot of first person accounts of the American and British home fronts. There are oral history projects through museums and universities, so I availed myself of many videos and transcripts. The Wright Museum allowed me to read letters they have in their archives from men and women who served in various capacities during the war. My husband managed to find a London map printed just before the war, and he also got his hands on bus and Tube schedules. As stops were bombed out, the schedules were reprinted to exclude the stations. At the time I was writing Under Fire I had not yet been to England, therefore I used the Internet for photos and information about the locations where scenes occurred. To assure accuracy with regard to forensic and crime scene details, I contacted a forensic anthropologist who was incredibly helpful.

Wow! You did a lot of work on this story. I also love learning about a time period before my time. Tell me about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

Ruth Brown is my main character, and I based her on my paternal grandmother and maternal great-aunt. Both were adults during the war years, yet they didn’t let the challenges and difficulties get the best of them. They remained strong, Christian women who did the best they could to raise, feed, and care for their families while praying loved ones would come home safely. I love that Ruth has that same tenacity. She is also intelligent and spunky, heading overseas to a country that is at war.

Where is your website and blog so my readers can check out your recent and past books that you have written?

My website/blog is found at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com. I’m also part of the StitchesThruTime blog found at www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com.

Thank you for this wonderful interview, Linda. I hope my readers will check out your new book.

Interview with Sweet Romance Author Maria Hoagland

When Maria Hoagland is not working at her computer, she can be found combing used furniture stores, remodeling houses with her husband, or sitting on the sideline of a son's soccer game. She loves crunching leaves in the fall, stealing cookie dough from the mixing bowl, and listening to musicals on her iPod. While she appreciates the home office she shares with her husband, Maria's favorite writing places are outdoors where there is sunlight and no internet. Maria Hoagland has several published works including two Whitney Award finalists, The {Re}Model Marriage and Still Time. Other works include Beauty and the Billionaire Beast, Home for the Holidays, Nourish & Strengthen, and Family Size.

Welcome back to my blog, Maria. Please tell us about your novella, Kayaks & Kisses.

Thank you so much, Linda! I love being on your blog and sharing my books with readers.

I know authors aren’t supposed to have favorites of their books, but Kayaks & Kisses is certainly one of my favorites (shh…don’t tell the other books). This sweet romance novella is part of my Romance Renovations series—my line of books that’s HGTV meets Hallmark movies. That means it will be sweet romance anyone can feel comfortable reading, and it will also contain some fun construction and renovation—this time of a business that two people are forced into sharing for a trial period. Here’s the official book description:

Brynn Caley is about to start her dream career running an outdoor sporting goods store when an out-of-town business guru makes his own offer on the property. Coerced into forming a temporary partnership, Brynn, with her ski experience, finds she has to work with fishing expert Gage to run the year-round shop. Through a series of innocent misconceptions and a few blatant lies, Brynn doesn’t realize that the handsome single guy on the construction crew is her new partner, and he doesn’t want to set her straight until he can gain her favor. She, on the other hand, would do anything not to work with the stuffy businessman she’s only met through email.

Inspired by the movies You’ve Got Mail and The Shop around the Corner, Kayaks & Kisses is a heart-warming tale of finding love in autumn leaves, outdoor activities, and new friendships.

What was your inspiration behind this story?

I wanted to write an autumn/Thanksgiving romance, and to me that means Ruidoso, NM. My family and I always rent a different cabin for Thanksgiving and spend the day hiking and enjoying the beautiful mountains and small town boutique shopping in this cute little town. I couldn’t imagine setting my story anywhere else. Add to that, You’ve Got Mail is my favorite movie, and one I watch every fall (“Bouquets of newly sharpened pencils.”), and that became the basis of the story. While this is not a retelling of that movie, it is my spin on the idea.

You love to write novellas. Why is that?

I love writing. Sometimes that means full-length novels, and lately, more and more novellas. I’ve found that my issues-driven ideas become novels and always end up in the Upmarket/Women’s fiction categories, but sometimes I want to write a sweet romance escape, something a reader can enjoy in a few sittings, to take them away from their regular life and experience a new setting and a new love. It’s the variety that keeps me intrigued as a writer.

Did you have to do any research for this story?

I always love doing research for my books, but this one didn’t require too much. I am already very familiar with the setting, so instead, the research involved looking into Basque food for my café, and watching the movie, The Shop Around the Corner, which I’d never seen before.

Tell me about one of the main characters and what you love about him or her?

The fun part about writing these characters was the push and pull between them. I was especially intrigued with Gage because he realized early on that he needed to fix things between him and Brynn. I couldn’t help rooting for him. Together, they are a fun couple who love the outdoors maybe even more than I do.

Thank you for this interview, Maria. I appreciate your time on my blog. I hope my followers will check out your book. For those interested, here are Maria’s links below so you can check out her books.

Maria’s website: MariaHoagland.com

Maria’s blog: RomanceRenovations.blogspot.com

Maria’s Facebook: Facebook page, Maria Hoagland, Author