Why do you write?
MM: I write because the art of a tale well-told has always captivated me. I’m fascinated by everything about the process, from that first burning kernel of an idea to the last pass through the completed manuscript before I turn it in for the final time. Now that’s not to say that some days aren’t better than others. I usually go through a love-hate relationship with all my stories at some point, but in the end I’ve reconciled with my hero and heroine and given them the HEA they’ve earned.
Name one eye-opening thing you learned from your book research.
MM: I was surprised to learn that the practice of identifying clans by the colors and pattern of the tartan is not an ancient Scottish practice. It’s a post-Regency era construct. In 1822, King George IV visited Edinburgh
MM: “If a little is good, a lot is a whole bunch better.” This is closely followed by “Women in this family do NOT clean fish.”
Do you have a favorite fictional hero? Favorite fictional heroine?
MM: I love King Arthur. Honor, courage, and a great heart. Does it get any better than that? My favorite heroine is probably Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. She’s smart, inventive and in more than a little trouble most of the time.
Which fictional character would you hang out with?
MM: I would so hang out with Jo March. Little Women is one of my all time favorite reads.
What is one of your favorite book covers, your own or someone else’s?
MM: I’ve been so kissed by the cover faeries, it’s hard to choose from all my gorgeous covers, but I have to say my upcoming Lord of Fire and Ice is a strong contender for first place in my heart. It incorporates so many elements from the story—the dragonship in the background, the hot hero with flame dancing on his palm in the foreground—I love it! In case you’re worried about him, I should share that he’s a fire mage. He’s just playing with the flames. You can see it, along with the rest of my covers on the books page on my website: http://miamarlowe.com/books/main.php
What would readers be surprised to learn about you?
MM: How all the angst and conflict in my life is all in my mind… and in my stories. My actual life is pretty tame most of the time. I do enjoy traveling and trying new things, but most of time, I’m your basic housefrau. I clean the house, walk the dogs, and avoid cooking whenever I can.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever learned by Googling your name?
MM: How many of my books have been downloaded by pirates. It never fails to amaze me that people who would never shoplift, will download a pirated book and not realize they’ve stolen from the author and her publisher. At least, I hope it’s because they don’t realize it.
If you could go backward or forward in time which would you chose? Why?
MM: Definitely forward. I’m looking toward the time when there’s a pill that will let me eat all the ice cream I want and not gain an ounce. ;-)
Mia, please share with us more about your recent Sourcebook release, Sins of the Highlander?
MM: Sins of the Highlander is the story of “Mad Rob” MacLaren and his quest to avenge the death of his beloved wife by stealing his enemy’s bride from the altar. As you can imagine, he didn’t really think this plan through. Elspeth Stewart shows Rob that his heart is not dead and that love is about second chances, redemption and forgiveness. Visit http://www.miamarlowe.com/books/sins.php for a taste of this story.
Which do you find is most important to you as a writer, voice or story? Why?
MM: I’ll have to be a contrarian and say neither. The most important thing is character. Think about the books that stick with you. It’s not because of the author’s lyrical prose. It’s not because of plot twists that rival the Gordian knot. It’s because the characters became real to you. You lived their adventure with them. They became part of you. Character is the most important thing.
Mia, please share with desperate readers where they can connect with you in cyber world. =)
MM: With pleasure. I love to connect with readers! First, please visit my cyber-home: http://www.miamarlowe.com . There are excerpts, fun stuff, my very active blog, and while you’re there be sure to enter my website contest. The Grand Prize is a NEW KINDLE!
You can also find me at:
I know this is a difficult question with there being so many amazing authors out there to choose from but who are some of the GOT-TO-HAVE authors in your TBR pile?
MM: Sherry Thomas, Mary Jo Putney, Victoria Alexander, Madeline Hunter, Shana Abe, Jennifer Ashley… the list, like Bilbo’s road, goes ever, ever on.
What’s next in the works for you? When can readers expect to see it out on shelves in their local bookstores?
MM: My next release is Touch of a Rogue (Feb 28th). It’s the story of Jacob Preston, a man with the “gift of touch.” He sees visions when he touches metal objects. It’s a useful ability for helping Lady Julianne, the widowed Countess of Cambourne, find a magical set of Druid daggers. But like the ancient blades, the lady has secrets. He’ll have to rely on other means to uncover those, one delectable layer at a time.
Next summer, Touch of a Scoundrel and Lord of Fire and Ice will be hitting the shelves. I’m also planning a number of ebook releases this year for readers who, like me, are addicted to their ereaders. If you’d like to be notified when new stories are available, be sure to sign up for my newsletter at http://miamarlowe.com/contact.php
Mia, thanks so much for stopping by and chatting with Romantic Crush Junkies readers and myself; it has really been a blast getting to know more about you and your books.
MM: This was fun. Thanks so much for having me. I hope you’ll leave a comment or question for me today. I promise to answer, though remember, I’m a fiction writer. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll make something up!
SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER BY CONNIE MASON & MIA MARLOWE – IN STORES JANUARY 2012
Product Details
- ISBN-13: 9781402261824
- Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
- Publication date: 1/1/2012
- Format: Mass Market Paperback
- Pages: 352
- Sales rank: 96,635
- Product dimensions: 4.10 (w) x 6.80 (h) x 1.10 (d)
- Read RCJR eZine Review
- Order: Barnes & Noble
Abduction
Never had Elspeth Stewart imagined her wedding would be interrupted by a dark-haired stranger charging in on a black stallion, scooping her into his arms, and carrying her off across the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his trong thighs, she ought to have feared for her life. But her captor silenced all protests with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—a pain only she could ease.
Obsession
“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his rival’s bride-to-be was the prefect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longed to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his, forever.
With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join together—body, breath and soul. Or both will be made to pay for the Sins of theHighlander.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Connie Mason is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels. She was named Storyteller of the Year in 1990 and received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews in 1994. She currently lives in Florida Boston , MA
~ CONTEST~
RCJR is proud to present historical romance author Mia Marlowe. She is visiting, chatting with readers about her January 2012 Sourcebook release, SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER the latest collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Connie Mason.
THE PRIZE: Two lucky readers will each win a copy of SINS OF THE THE HIGHLANDER. Here is how to enter.
Please leave a comment for Mia Marlowe including your email address.
*Connect with RCJR eZine at:
***
Contest is open to ALL
It will runs until February 1, 2012
I will contact the winners directly on February 2, 2012
HAPPY READING! =)
