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What do you find interesting about your main characters?

Keelan MacDougall is a hot Scottish guy in a kilt… that’s pretty interesting to me! Margaret is feisty, brave, and not afraid to do what’s needed to protect her clan.

Where does the story take place and why did you choose this setting?

It takes place in Scotland in 1530. I’ve visited Scotland and fell in love with the land. I knew my first historical book had to be set there.

Share a little about the story behind the story.

When the Laird dies the Ferguson clan is afraid what will happen when the King finds out. Determined to keep the Laird’s sister Margaret free they devise a plan to have her act in her brother’s place. It’s not until the King sends men to their land they realize they have to take their plan a step further. It’s a hilarious story with poor Margaret doing quick costume changes and disappearing acts to play both the Laird and Lady of the house.

What is the theme or takeaway you want readers to think about?

I always try to put a lot of humor into my stories while also being true to my hopeless romantic heart. I hope they will suspend reality and enjoy the possibilities if this were a true story.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I didn’t realize I could be an actual author until 2014 when I met a sister’s friend who was an Indie Author. She introduced me to the world and I never looked back.

Favorite animal?

Toss up between Otters and Horses.

If you could travel to any spot in the world, where would it be?

I love Ireland and Scotland but if I were to travel to a place I haven’t been yet I definitely want to go to Italy. I’d love to eat my way around their country, that sounds divine.

What’s next in your writing?

In this story you’ll meet Patrick. If I don’t write Patrick’s story my sister might shun me from the family. I guess I better focus on that project next.

Social media links:

My C.K. O’Connor pen name has all of my Contemporary, Historical, YA books.

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My Cassidy K. O’Connor pen name has my Paranormal, RH, Fairytale Retellings

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What do you find interesting about your main characters?

     Lady Essington is a young widow with a unique opportunity to earn some money secretly writing about high society news. It sounds like it would be easy, right? It turns out to be a challenge as someone blackmails her!

     I love that Lady Essington is enterprising enough to take on a money-making opportunity as that would not have been common at that time. She was motivated to try and improve her financial situation but many ladies would have immediately tried to marry a wealthy man!

Where does the story take place and why did you choose this setting?

     This is a story set in Regency England, my favorite time period!

Share a little about the story behind the story.

     The story title is The Truth about the Earl.

     After the untimely death of her aged husband, young Lady Norah Essington was given the opportunity to write a weekly piece for the local society newspaper, detailing news, scandals and secrets of the ton that surrounded her – and all under a fictitious name. Delighted with such an opportunity, she began to do so with relish, only for a falsehood about her to be printed under that very same fictious name! Confused, Norah is horrified when letters begin to arrive at her door, demanding that she write what they tell her – or else suffer the consequences.

     James, Earl of Yarmouth, is disgusted with what he reads in society papers, particularly when one such comment is made about himself! Determined to put things to rights, he tries to discover who is writing such lies, only to find himself thrown together with Lady Essington in what is swiftly becoming a much bigger mystery. Will she be courageous enough to tell him everything? And what will James do when the truth finally comes out?

     Ah yes, writing about high society news and scandals might remind you of a famous Regency series on Netflix! This story is part of a list aiming historical romance anthology – Secrets, Scandals, and Seductions. Pre-order your copy today! Only $.99 for hours of reading pleasure!

What is the theme or takeaway you want readers to think about?

     Marriage was the best option for most young ladies during that time. There were few ways to earn money and even the unusual way that Lady Essington found has its dangers. Fortunately, this story is a romance wrapped in a mystery and she gets her happy ever after in the end.

     Amazing how opportunities for women have expanded over the last two centuries!

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

     Books will get you through anything in life! They have been my lifeline since 4th grade when I started reading 2-3 books a day. Yes, I was a book nerd and I still am. Then I realized that I could create stories too but didn’t do much with it until I was a (much!) older adult. It’s amazing how the world has changed to give us the self-publishing opportunity.

Favorite animal?

     My Westie, Duffy, and the Westies that preceded him, Buddy and Becca Boo. The love that dogs bring to your life is precious.

If you could travel to any spot in the world, where would it be?

     Italy to see the sights and enjoy the wonderful food!

What’s next in your writing?

     I have a new series coming out soon about governesses and companions – the loneliest ladies in Regency times!

Social media links

Twitter: @rosepearsonauth

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosepearsonauthor

Instagram: @Rosepearsonauthor

What do you find interesting about your main characters?

Both of my characters started as minor characters in a different story in this world. However, what makes them most unique, is that both of them have suffered from the vicious tongue of Society, and sought refuge by the ocean (although at different points in time). They are both grieving the loss of their sisters, who are assumed to have perished aboard a ship bound for America, and this connection breaks through Patrick’s self-imposed exile, allowing his heart to heal.

Where does the story take place and why did you choose this setting?

The story takes place at a lighthouse on the western coast of England. I chose this setting because the lighthouse is mentioned in previous stories in reference to Patrick. This location is also used as the port town from which their sisters sailed on the ill-fated ship.

Share a little about the story behind the story.

Patrick Flannery, my grumpy lighthouse keeper, was always supposed to receive his own story, but I hadn’t intended for the tale to take on such a melancholy tone. As I plotted out his story, the reason for his isolation developed into a psychosis that I hadn’t realized affected him (I love it when characters talk to you).

What is the theme or takeaway you want readers to think about?

Patrick faces a continual conflict between what he wants (Sarah) and what he deems is best for her (not him). Patrick’s growth and acceptance of his own value, is what convinces him to conquer this fear and proclaim his affection.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

When I was a child, my mother’s best friend was a writer, and I was fascinated by her. The idea of creating worlds by stringing together simple words was magical. I wanted to do the same thing.

Favorite animal?

Today it’s a cat, but that’s because he’s curled up on my lap purring.

If you could travel to any spot in the world, where would it be?

When I first began this series, I chose Wiltshire as the fictional location because I really wanted to visit Stonehenge, which is the actual location of that mystical spot. And while magic does not play a role in this particular world, I love knowing that secret connection behind the town’s name.

What’s next in your writing?

I’m working on the second book in a time-travel trilogy set in Elizabethan England, which combines my love of historical romance and the paranormal. I also intend to publish Alana’s story (Patrick’s sister) next March, as her pirate experience needs to be told.

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What do you find interesting about your main characters?

Sir Adam is a widower with a young daughter while Charlotte is a widow who never had children of her own. The two have a history—his wife was her best friend—but they were never on friendly terms with one another. The needs of the daughter require that they be civil with one another, and over time, their relationship changes. They’re smitten with one another but can’t admit it to themselves.

Where does the story take place and why did you choose this setting?

Cockington, Devonshire in 1840. I was looking for a village in England that was close to a larger town (in this case, Torquay) but far enough from London that travel there would be difficult. In order to keep the action in one place, it was important that it feel isolated and that the villagers thought they knew everyone’s business.

Share a little about the story behind the story.

After writing more than thirty-five novels, most taking place in Regency or early Victorian England, I realized I had never featured a baronet as a hero. I had also never featured a governess as a heroine. THE BRIDE OF A BARONET was the perfect vehicle in which to use those characters.

While researching something unrelated, I came across the mention of a bride contest, where a wealthy man had held a contest for unmarried women to compete for the honor of becoming his wife. He was too busy to court, and the contest was his way of arranging a marriage of what he thought would be convenient. As it turned out, he and his bride were quite happy.

What is the theme or takeaway you want readers to think about?

Unearthing secrets can lead to love! Our widower is understandably sad about having lost his wife, but by not learning more about what was happening in her life when she was alive, he was prevented from knowing what she wanted for him after her death.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

In third grade, one of our assignments was to write about where we wanted to live when we grew up. I wrote that I intended to write books in London, Rome and Paris.

Favorite animal?

An Olde English sheepdog! I had two growing up, Miss Muffett VIII and Muffin MacDuff Paddlepaws.

If you could travel to any spot in the world, where would it be?

Greece! I’ve been three times and look forward to going back. I love using various islands as settings for books but I have yet to see most of the mainland.

For a place I haven’t yet been—Sicily. I wrote a book that took place there in 1816 and absolutely loved doing the research for it, so I’m finally going there in March followed by a quick trip to Rome. I threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain when I was there several years ago, so I have to go back.

What’s next in your writing?

I’m working on the next book in The Heirs of the Aristocracy series, THE HONOR OF AN HEIR, and a novella for a Christmas anthology set in the Soho Club.

Social media links:

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Blog

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AuthorGraph

Ready to Swoon?

Dive into Wartime with a Warrior by Emily EK Murdoch, and fall in love with a hero.

Just one of sixteen historical romances available in the Secrets, Scandals, and Seduction boxed set.

Releasing June 7th. Pre-order now!

What do you find interesting about your main characters? 

One of my favorite tropes in historical romance is mistaken identity; thinking you are about to meet one person, and then meeting someone entirely different. It’s such a fun premise, and not one that I have written that often – so I thought this was the perfect opportunity. 

Where does the story take place and why did you choose this setting?

I thought there was nothing more exciting and high stakes than mistaken identity during a war! The French and British have been at war so often, of course, so I chose a time that would tie into my Ravishing Regencies series. 

War is such a tense and difficult time; you are already wondering who to trust, who to believe, concerned about your safety. So bringing in a little romance and mistaken identity seemed the perfect next step!

Share a little about the story behind the story.

Barnaby Lewes, a British soldier, is waiting in an abandoned French manor house after arranging a secret rendezvous with his informant. Fred is late, and Barnaby is getting more and more concerned – but not half so concerned as he will be when Fred arrives…

What is the theme or takeaway you want readers to think about?

That love is sometimes found in the most unexpected of places.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Erm…from birth?! My family love telling the story of when I was at nursery, so only about three or four years old, and I ‘made’ a book by demanding one of the nursery staff staple together some pages. I then ‘wrote’ using pens – just scribbles of course, but it was a sign of things to come!

Favorite animal?

Bears.

If you could travel to any spot in the world, where would it be?

Ooohhh…I would love to see the Northern Lights. I live just outside Bath, England, and sometimes if you go up to Scotland you can see them there – but so far, no luck. 

What’s next in your writing?

I have an exciting new family saga historical romance series that will start coming out in Summer 2022, as well as a few surprise secret projects that I cannot announce yet. Make sure you’re following me online for future updates!

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