Thank you so much for hosting me today! 

Tell us about your current series.

 With Heartbreak and Honor’s release, I am half way through my six-book Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series.

The series is a spin-off of my Castle Brides series.

I had so many readers asking for me to write stories for the secondary characters in those three books, I couldn’t refuse them. Besides, I wanted to know what happened to those characters too!

What inspired your latest book?

Heartbreak and Honor is the Duke of Harcourt’s story. I introduced him in my very first book, Highlander’s Hope, and he just kept popping up. I wanted Lucan to have an unconventional wife and, to keep with the series theme of romancing a Scot, she had to be Scottish since he’s English.

I introduced a Highland gypsy in the second book in the series (Virtue and Valor) and I knew she was the perfect heroine for him, especially after she punched Lucan in the eye!

By-the-way, Scottish gypsies are called Black Tinkers or Scottish Highland Travellers, and they aren’t Roma like most gypsies in Europe.

What is your favorite dessert/food?

My favorite food is pasta, especially fettucine Alfredo or spinach tortellini, also dripping with Alfredo sauce.

And dessert?  Just one?

I have the most scrumptious recipe for pumpkin dream pie! Yummy!

Do you have a view in your writing space?  What does your space look like?

I commandeered my youngest son’s bedroom when he went off to college, not only because I wanted my own writing space, but the view is amazing. It’s an upper-story bedroom that look out onto my ¼ acre back yard, which is also a wildlife habitat.

I have songbirds twelve months out of the year, and because I’m also an avid gardener, I have a spectacular view of my flower beds.

My writing space is a very girly, shabby chic room. Everything in it, except my computer, are finds I repurposed and painted.

I included a picture!

Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Rochester Lucan-Ashford the Duke of Harcourt (Yes, he has a hyphenated first name.) is cocky, confident, has a fabulous sense of humor, and, though he tries to hide it, is a marshmallow inside. He adores his mother and sister, and he has a fear of small spaces.

 Tell us about your heroine.  Give us one of her strengths and one of her weaknesses.

Ah, Tasara Faas. She’s an enigma.

Raised as a Highland Traveller, she thinks she’s a Scottish gypsy, but later learns she’s a missing heiress, Alexandra Atterberry. The girl knows how to wield a dagger, but is terrified of becoming a duchess. She doesn’t want to learn or abide by society’s rules.

Do you prefer to read in the same genres you write in or do you avoid reading that genre? Why?

 I’ve always been a huge fan of historical romances, and they continue to be my genre of choice, though I do venture out occasionally and read other genres too.

When I first started writing, I avoided Regencies for fear other authors’ voice would seep into mine. I don’t worry about that anymore.

My reading time is limited, and therefore highly coveted.  I only read books to the end that truly engage and captivate me.

Tell us a little about yourself and your latest book.

 In February 2016, I’ll have been writing for five years. It took me 2 ½ years from the time I sat down to write the first word of Highlander’s Hope to have it published. I was still teaching then.

Now I only substitute once in a while, just to force myself out of my writing cave. I could easily become a recluse!

Heartbreak and Honor was a very fun book to write with its Christmastide sub-plot. I loved researching the holiday during the Regency era and was astounded to learn the Scots didn’t celebrate Christmas then.

Do you write under a pen name?   Why or why not?

 I do write under a pen name, although Collette is my real middle name (to rhyme with my sisters’ Georgette and Minette-Awful, huh?) and Cameron was my maternal grandparents’ surname.

I didn’t think my real name was catchy enough, and as I was still teaching elementary students when I started writing. I didn’t want to worry about parents getting their knickers in a twist if they found out I wrote romance.

I live in a very small community and the word is out now, but I still like the sound of Collette Cameron. I think it’s the alliteration!

Bio:

Bestselling, award-winning Historical Romance Author, Collette Cameron, pens Scottish and Regency Romances featuring rogues, rapscallions, rakes, and the intrepid damsels who reform them. Mother to three and self-proclaimed Cadbury chocoholic, she’s crazy about dachshunds, cobalt blue, and makes her home in Oregon with her husband and five mini-dachshunds. You’ll always find animals, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels.

Her award-winning Castle Brides Series, Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series, and Conundrums of the Misses Culpeppers Series, as well as her other books, are all available on Amazon and other major retailers.

Heartbreak and Honor

Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series, Book 3

Abducted by a band of renegade Scots, Highland gypsy Tasara Faas blackens her rescuer’s eye when the charming duke attempts to steal a kiss. Afterward, Tasara learns she’s the long-lost heiress Alexandra Atterberry and is expected to take her place among the elite society she’s always disdained.

Lucan, the Duke of Harcourt, promised his gravely ill mother he’d procure a wife by Christmastide, but intrigued by the feisty lass he saved in Scotland, he finds the haut ton ladies lacking. Spying Alexa at a London ball, he impulsively decides to make the knife-wielding gypsy his bride despite her aversion to him and her determination to return to the Highlands.

The adversary responsible for Alexa’s disappearance as a toddler still covets her fortune and joins forces with Harcourt’s arch nemesis. Amidst a series of suspicious misfortunes, Lucan endeavors to win Alexa’s love and expose the conspirators but only succeeds in reaffirming Alexa’s belief that she is inadequate to become his duchess.

Excerpt:

“Miss Atterberry, you’ve drawn the attention of several theater-goers.” Smiling and occasionally waving, the dowager inclined her neatly coiffed silver head toward the other stalls. The turquoise ostrich feather atop her head dipped and bobbed with her exaggerated movements, as did her spectacular diamond earrings.

“Those Hinton windbags are sharing that cow Clutterbuck’s box.” She inclined her head and gave a little finger wave their way. “Yes, I’m talking about you, too, you pernicious chinwags.”

Suppressing a giggle, Alexa set the opera glasses to her eyes and instantly regretted the impulse when she encountered a myriad of attendees pointing their attention in the direction of Lucan’s box.

Mr. Morton waved exuberantly, earning him a glower and the smack of her fan from the lady beside him.

Lucan edged closer to Alexa and lifted her hand. He kissed the back for a lingering moment. Given the surge in whispers nippily following his kiss, several sets of theater glasses likely dipped to focus upon their hands.

“Please, please, marry me, Kitten,” Lucan whispered in her ear.

Alexa swung round to admonish him, but her mouth dropped open at the heat radiating from his granite eyes.

If I were tinder, I’d burst into flames.

The scorching temperature permeating her was hot enough to incinerate. She flipped her fan open. Heaven above, what this man did to her . . .

What she’d like him to do to her.

He lowered his lashes partway, a seductive smile teasing one side of his too-tempting mouth, the blasted dimple in his cheek mesmerizing her. “Smile and nod, then give me a look of besotted adoration. You may flutter your eyelashes and giggle to make your infatuation more believable if you wish.”

“Foolish man, I’ll do no such thing.” Alexa chuckled, the tension easing from her.

“Then say yes to my suit.”

“No.” She released another tense laugh. “Have you always been this obstinate or do you not understand the word?”

Hadn’t she thought the same thing about him when they’d first met? Only now, she found his pigheadedness charming and amusing.

He winked and set her hand upon his sculpted thigh, holding it there by placing his hand atop hers. “My ploy worked, didn’t it? Aren’t you more relaxed now?”

“Uh hum.” She was.

The dowager nudged Alexa with her fan.

“Yes, my lady?”

Alexa tried to ease her hand free, but Lucan firmly pressed her palm into his leg, giving a brief squeeze and another wicked flash of white teeth.

At this rate, she might be the one to ravish him. She clenched her teeth against the desire to trail her fingertips along the muscle.

Surveying the audience, he patted her hand as if he knew perfectly well how he affected her.

Probably did.

The earlier cacophony filling the auditorium filtered to a muted buzz as the lighting dimmed in preparation for the performance.

Dowager Lady Middleton all but bellowed into the stillness, “Tell me, my dear, why on earth did you refuse my nephew’s proposals?”

Connect with Collette:

Website   Blog    Twitter   Facebook    Regency Rose Newsletter

Buy Links: http://amzn.com/B018F3C1KU

BLURB:

Heartbreak and Honor

Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series, Book 3

By Collette Cameron

Abducted by a band of renegade Scots, Highland gypsy Tasara Faas blackens her rescuer’s eye when the charming duke attempts to steal a kiss. Afterward, Tasara learns she’s the long-lost heiress Alexandra Atterberry and is expected to take her place among the elite society she’s always disdained.

Lucan, the Duke of Harcourt, promised his gravely ill mother he’d procure a wife by Christmastide, but intrigued by the feisty lass he saved in Scotland, he finds the haut ton ladies lacking. Spying Alexa at a London ball, he impulsively decides to make the knife-wielding gypsy his bride despite her aversion to him and her determination to return to the Highlands.

The adversary responsible for Alexa’s disappearance as a toddler still covets her fortune and joins forces with Harcourt’s arch nemesis. Amidst a series of suspicious misfortunes, Lucan endeavors to win Alexa’s love and expose the conspirators but only succeeds in reaffirming Alexa’s belief that she is inadequate to become his duchess.

 BIO:

Bestselling, award-winning Historical Romance Author, Collette Cameron, pens Scottish and Regency Romances featuring rogues, rapscallions, rakes, and the intrepid damsels who reform them. Mother to three and self-proclaimed Cadbury chocoholic, she’s crazy about dachshunds, cobalt blue, and makes her home in Oregon with her husband and five mini-dachshunds. You’ll always find animals, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels.

Her award-winning Castle Brides Series, Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series, and Conundrums of the Misses Culpeppers Series, as well as her other books, are all available on Amazon and other major retailers.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Website   Blog    Twitter   Facebook    Regency Rose Newsletter

You can connect with her on LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+ too.

Just head to her website for the links.

BUY LINKS:  To Follow

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What genre do you write in and why?

I write both sweet and sexier romances, but always with a lighthearted voice, sometimes more toward romantic comedy.

Tell us about your current series.

One of the series I write is Harmony Valley for Harlequin Heartwarming (sweet romance). Harmony Valley is a small town in remote Sonoma County. For decades, it was supported by a grain mill. About fifteen years ago, the grain mill exploded. Jobs dried up. Shops closed. Those who remained were retired (over age 65). Now three young men have started a winery and are rejuvenating the town. People under the age of 35 are coming back and finding the older generation to be set in their ways. Imagine being invited to dinner and being served Spam and bananas cooked in hollandaise sauce. Or seeing your neighbor dancing in the moonlight in her long johns, a tutu, and rain boots. That’s Harmony Valley.

What inspired your latest book?

I was trying to come up with an original idea for Harmony Valley. On my list of story ideas was amnesia. My editor did not like the idea, but I pitched it to her in a bar with another editor nearby (one who liked amnesia stories). It became a gauntlet thrown down at my feet. I had to write it. The result is A Memory Away.

What is your typical day like?

I get up at 4:30 a.m. every day (big cup of coffee). There are animals to be fed, and then it’s off to the gym for an hour. I walk the dogs at 6:30 and am at work by 8 a.m. I allow myself an hour for social media rounds (blogs, Harlequin community, Facebook, Twitter, email). And then it’s two hours of hard writing before my assistant comes in at 11 a.m. She stays until around 3 p.m. and then it’s two more hours of hard writing before I have to think about making dinner. I often do pre-writing or social media after dinner. I’m generally passed out by 9 p.m.

Where do you get ideas for your stories?

For my series books, I like to start with a hook (secret babies, twins, 9 months later, etc.) and see how I can work it into my story line. I don’t always use hooks, but it’s definitely easier to start from. For example, with my current release, I combined two hooks – amnesia and 9 months later. I always try to think: who would be the worst person for the h/h to fall in love with. And then I consider why they are the worst – what backstory might support the beliefs or choices of that character.

How likely are people you meet to be in your books?

Not likely at all. But if you’re my friend or family and you do quirky things – those actions are fair game. For example, my mom has macular degeneration and watches her big screen television with binoculars. How can you not plant that scene with a character? My dad has been known to make taco runs in the middle of the night wearing his pajamas (his long johns). One of my relatives dated a drug dealer without knowing he was a drug dealer. So no. I don’t base characters on people I know, but I do use their behavior and experiences as fodder for my stories. Wouldn’t you?

Was your road to publication fraught with peril or a walk in the park?

My publication road was fraught with peril. I stalked my first editor at conferences for two years before she bought a book. I was challenged with creating strong conflict in my stories, so I struggled to sell more than 1-2 books at a time. I’ve had 8 different editors at Harlequin (learned something from every one), been orphaned and dropped from a line. But I took that time to hone my writing skills. I tried my hand at self-publishing and was asked to come back to Harlequin and write for Heartwarming. Nine books in three years later and I’ve been asked to write for another line there. I think I’m good at turning diversity into opportunity.

Has your muse always known what genre you would write and be published in?

I’ve always tried to slip humor into my books. I think it took me ten books to figure out how to do it in a way that works for me, editorial, and the readers.

How far ahead do you plan?

I make tentative plans eighteen months out based on Harlequin contracts. I insert indie projects into that calendar. I leave room for life to happen and opportunities to show up. My goals for September 2014-December 2015 were to have a release every month. I only missed one month (but hey, some months I had two titles out). I alternated between Harlequin, indie, and box sets. Mr. Curtis is ready for me to take a vacation and I agree wholeheartedly!

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

Study the craft. Identify your weaknesses and be honest with yourself. I see a lot of indie published work that lacks strong internal conflict. There are great writing coaches out there now and strong, affordable editorial to help make your work shine. Try not to enter the race until you’re ready to run.

Blurb for A Memory Away:

Duffy Dufraine just found out he’s going to be an uncle. Jessica Aguirre came to Harmony Valley in search of the father of her unborn child, which is by no means him. An accident may have damaged the expectant mom’s memory, but he knows his twin is the man she’s looking for. But Greg’s gone, which leaves Duffy the only family Jess has. And he has to make things right. Offering her a temporary place to stay seems an ideal short-term solution. Until she stirs desires that make the embattled vineyard manager rethink his own long-term game plan. Is he ready to offer Jess and her baby a home to call their own—with him?

Excerpt from A Memory Away:

Did he love me?

A man got out of the truck. Dark hair. Straight nose. Familiar eyes.

It’s him.

She leaned forward, peering through the paned glass, her heart sailing toward him, over ever-hopeful waves of roses and rainbows.

Jess didn’t usually let herself dream. But now…today…him…

And yet…

He wore a burgundy vest jacket that clashed with a red long-sleeve T-shirt. Worn blue jeans. A black baseball cap.

Instead, she saw him in a fine wool suit. Black, always black. A navy shirt of the softest cotton. A silk tie in a geometric pattern. Shiny Italian loafers…

He took the stairs two at a time, work boots ringing on wood.

Jessica’s heart sank as certainly as if someone had drilled holes in the boat carrying her hopeful emotions. Clouds blocked the sun. The rainbow disappeared. Unwilling to sink, Jess clung to joy. To the idea of him.

He entered without a flourish or an energetic greeting. He entered without the smile that teased the corners of her memory. He entered and took stock of the room, the situation, her.

Their eyes met. His were the same color, same shape, so heart-achingly familiar.

It was the cool assessment in them that threw her off. Not a smile, not a brow quirk, not an eye crinkle.

He came forward. “I’m Michael Dufraine, but everyone calls me Duffy.”

His name didn’t ring true.

Had he lied to her?

She couldn’t speak, could barely remember her name.

The wind shook the panes. The house creaked and groaned.

He smiled. A polite smile, a distant smile, an I-don’t-know-you smile.

Disappointment overwhelmed her. Jess resisted the urge to dissolve into a pity puddle on the floor.

“And you are…?” He extended his hand.

On autopilot, she reached for him. Their palms touched.

Jessica’s vision blurred and she gripped his hand tighter as clips of memory assailed her—his deep laughter, him offering her a bite of chocolate cheesecake, his citrusy cologne as he leaned in to kiss her.

It is him.

Relieved. She was so relieved. Jessica blinked at the man—Duffy—who she vaguely recalled and, at the same time, did not.

She’d practiced what to say on the hour-long drive up here from Santa Rosa. Ran through several scenarios. None of them had included him not recognizing her.

She should start at the beginning. Best not to scare him with hysterics and panicked accusations, of which she’d had five months to form.

Don’t raise your voice. Don’t cry. Don’t ask why.

And don’t lead the conversation with the elephant in the room.

Despite all the cautions and practicing and caveats, she drew a breath, and flung her hopes toward him as if he was her life preserver. “I think I’m your wife.”

Bio/Release Info:

Award winning, USA Today bestseller Melinda Curtis writes the Harmony Valley series of sweet and emotional romances for Harlequin Heartwarming, and the sweet romantic comedy Bridesmaid series. A Memory Away is Book 6 in the Harmony Valley series. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  Melinda also writes hotter romances as Mel Curtis. Jayne Ann Krentz says of Blue Rules: “Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood’s Golden Age except a lot hotter.”

Ebook Buy Links for A Memory Away:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1LoUBqQ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1GmigF7

B&N: http://bit.ly/1VSA9G4

iTunes: http://apple.co/1Qu678S

Print Book via Harlequin (available January 1, 2016): http://bit.ly/1KdzpmL

Print Available in Wal-Mart January 1, 2016

Special Offers/Freebies:

Readers of this blog will be emailed a FREE sweet romantic comedy by signing up for Melinda’s book release email newsletter. Link: http://www.melindacurtis.net/join-melinda-s-mailing-list

Website: www.MelindaCurtis.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor

Twitter: @MelCurtisAuthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/melcurtisauthor/

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What movie best describes your life?

This would be a combination of the You Tube Channel Southern Women Channel (Sh%t Southern Women Say) and Steel Magnolias without the tears.  I’m very southern; raised in South Carolina. How does a true southern girl write about Regency England? I don’t know. I just hope that the twang doesn’t bleed through.

Where do you get ideas for your stories?

Good question. Stories just come to me. Some work and some don’t. Some, like the current series, A Lady’s Wish, were inspired by family interactions. I’m fascinated by the relationships between people, especially relatives. You can pick your friends, but not your family. These make the most interesting relationships.

Give us an elevator speech for your current release.

Can a gambler give up the game if it means keeping the woman he loves? Can a young woman sacrifice her security for the man she loves? This is a story about the affects of gambling addiction.

Please tell our readers about your book.

An Honorable Wish is about two friends who fall in love. Tony Matthews is searching for something to change his life.  He knows he needs to change. His feelings for Juliet are the impetus for that change. Juliet Townsend is so in love with Tony but is afraid to commit given his gambling addition. She doubts that he can give it up and she won’t spend the rest of her life worrying about whether he’ll gamble away everything they have.

Tell us about your hero.

Tony Matthews is the younger brother of Nathaniel Matthews from An Unexpected Wish. He’s cute. He’s charming. He is easily swayed. He is the kind of guy who can be your best friend; the life of the party. But there is a deeper side of Tony. He is always trying to meet his brother’s expectations. He’s also trying to keep up with Society’s expectations. It is by gambling that he keeps up with Nathaniel’s expectations as well as Society. Gaming was everywhere. Men of all classes met at the tables at balls,  supper and cards, and of course gaming hells.  When the story opens, he has just done something he didn’t think he was capable of: ruin a man’s life by winning his estate. He has done to another man what was done to his father. It’s like a wake up call.

Tell us about your heroine. Juliet Townsend is the youngest of the three sisters. In this story she is twenty-two and has suffered through two disasterous seasons. She hates London. She hates balls. She is happiest with a book. In fact, she can learn anything with a book. She also has the biggest crush on Tony Matthews. She has since he started calling on her sister, Sophia. Now he seems to be interested in her, but she’s afraid. She is afraid it isn’t real. She’s afraid that Tony’s gambling will leave her stranded with nothing and unable to do anything about it.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I love historical romance. It was what first drew me into writing it. But I also like contemporary romance, romantic suspense, historical fiction, biographies and history books. I love to read, can you tell?

Who are your critique partners?

I have a critique partner who writes so much better than I do. Erica Monroe writes historical romantic suspense. Her books are real, gritty, and amazing. She really helps me reach in deep for those emotional moments.  I feel like I don’t bring much to the table with her. She’s so damn good and I’ve learned so much from her.

Discover more about Eileen Richards on her website (http://www.eileenrichardsauthor.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/authoreileenrichards), Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/EileenRAuthor/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/EileenRAuthor).

An Honorable Wish is available at these retailers:

Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/nchbv3g

B&N:  http://tinyurl.com/pjjcrel

iTunes:  http://tinyurl.com/p63l6vd

Kobo:  http://tinyurl.com/pp6wjzc

LOVE MAY BE THEIR GREATEST GAMBLE…
 
Tony Matthews spends his time in London’s most notorious gambling dens, frittering away his fortune. But when his latest victory leaves a man ruined, Tony knows he’s reached his lowest point. Determined to make amends, he returns home to his family’s country estate with plans to settle down and marry at last. And he hopes the lovely Juliet Townsend will help him—if only he can keep his disgrace a secret.

Juliet’s secret wish has always been for Tony to love her. The only bright spot in her dreadful London season was dancing with him—before he disappeared to the card rooms. Now, he’s returned, but has he truly changed? Or will gambling always be his mistress, even if she becomes his wife? And does Juliet dare risk her heart by finding out?

Find Eileen Richards’ latest book, AN HONORABLE WISH at these fine retailers:

Amazon:  http://tinyurl.com/nchbv3g

B&N:  http://tinyurl.com/pjjcrel

iTunes:  http://tinyurl.com/p63l6vd

Kobo:  http://tinyurl.com/pp6wjzc

Author Bio

Eileen Richards has been writing for most of her life. Poetry, totally inappropriate answers to essay questions in school, and interesting error codes during her 30 year IT career has prepared her for the manic world of publishing.

She writes sassy regency romps set in the small villages of England where the rules are bent a bit and gossip rules the day.

Eileen resides with her husband and their diva of a greyhound in North Carolina.

Mailing List: http://tinyurl.com/p9hwhqj