I’m so pleased to be hosting fellow historical romance author Mia Marlowe on the blog today. Mia is a fantastic writer who can fashion a captivating tale and place it in just about any historical period. It’s no mystery to me why she’s a bestselling, award-winning author! She’s with us today to share some very exciting news.
Plaid to the Bone is your 20th book, which is an amazing accomplishment. How do you feel about that? Has your writing career given you any surprises along the way?
I’m thrilled! And no one is more surprised than me. I’ve been published since 2006 and of course, my career has had its ups and downs. Please don’t ask me about the fiasco with my first agent (whom I had to threaten with legal action to get the advance on my debut!) or the sad sinking of Dorchester. Fortunately my editors (Alicia Condon at Kensington & Leah Hultenschmidt at Sourcebooks) have championed me and kept me in print. I have a wonderful agent now (Natasha Kern) and readers have kept reading. I’m a very lucky girl and I know it.
The heroine in Plaid to the Bone is pledged to murder her husband, which is an awesome basis for conflict! What can you tell us about the book, and how did you come up with such a splendid idea?
I had already written Plaid Tidings (October 2103, Kensington) in which my hero becomes laird of Bonniebroch Castle. Only trouble is, there’s a pretty hefty curse on the place which he must lift before Twelfth Night. My editor asked if I’d write a novella that explains how the castle came to be cursed in the first place, so Plaid to the Bone took shape in my head.
I reasoned that the curse was the result of a betrayal. At her father’s behest, Cait Grant has sworn a blood oath to kill Adam Cameron after they’ve been wed a month. What more heinous betrayal could there be than a bride who plans to murder her new husband?
You have another book coming out soon – what can you tell us about it?
In Plaid Tidings, 300 years have passed since the events in Plaid to the Bone. It’s 1821 and my hero Alexander is part of the advance team preparing the way for Prinny’s visit to Scotland. He’s on the look out for any remaining Radicals who might threaten the king. To hide his true purpose for being in Scotland, he wins Bonniebroch and the accompanying barony in a game of chance. What Alex doesn’t know is that the title comes with a betrothal to a Scottish lass whose brother is a notorious Radical. And to add to his troubles, the castle to which he brings his unwanted bride is haunted!
The final book in my Songs of the North trilogy will be out in November and the last of the Royal Rakes releases in January. I just signed contract with both publishers for more Scottish and Regency romances. Please check my Coming Next page for the latest news!
You’re running an amazing contest right now – what’s that about?
I’m hosting a 20Days/20Books Celebration on my blog to mark my 20th published work milestone. Each day I share a bit about Plaid to the Bone, host amazing guests (like you, m’dear!) and reminisce about one of my backlist titles. There are multiple daily giveaways and the Grand Prize is a Kindle Paperwhite! I hope your readers will join me at http://www.miamarlowe.com. The celebration runs till September 15th and the winners will be announced the next day.
That all sounds awesome, Mia! And for my readers today, Mia is giving away a digital copy of her 3-book anthology, The How To Series. Just tell us why you love Scotland, or why you might like to visit there someday, for a chance to win.
We travelled to Scotland in 1986, after visiting my sister and BIL [USAF] in England. It was a lovely train ride to Edinburgh. Everyone should go and I’d love to return and spend weeks in the country!
Me too, Cate! I was in Edinburgh and Glasgow years ago.
It is a glorious place. I’m ready to go back anytime.
I have never been to Scotland even though some of my ancestors are from there. I would love to see the heather, the lochs, the castles and, of course, the men in kilts.
Yay for men in kilts!
Instead of heather, we were there when the bright yellow rapeseed oil plants were in bloom. Awful name, lovely color on the hillsides.
We have traced my husband’s family back to Scotland. We are researching his family plaid and just found the coat of arms! We are hoping to go for our 35th wedding anniversary in 2017! The castles and the heather make me smile. Then there are the KILTS! Trying to convince my husband to wear one once we find his plaid!
That is so cool, Lisa! I hope you get the opportunity to get your hubby into his plaid!
Oh yes! Your husband should definitely wear a kilt. A highlander in full fig is a sight to behold!
I have always loved Scotland and the accent! After the Highlander series I wanted to go even more, to see the places I only caught a glimpse of. And of course,Sean Connery has a home there!Plus, we have some Scottish ties on my father’s side, and Irish ones on my mother’s, so loving both countries is just about a given.
Sean Connery has still got it! Definitely the accent.
I’ve loved Scotland ever since I was pen pals with a Scottish boy when I was in junior high. I hope to one day visit there.
In late May early June the mountain tops were still touched with a bit of snow. It’s a wild country compared to green, rolling England.
The scenery, the history, the people – my genealogy..!! What I wouldn’t give to go for a l.o.n.g. visit (and maybe learn some Gaelic while I’m dreaming about it).
We soaked up as much as we could while we were there. Even tried haggis and Clootie Dumpling. Yum!
I would love to see the castles, lochs, and let’s not forget those highlanders. 🙂
Loch Ness is so dark and atmospheric. The water is very deep and very cold. It’s easy to imagine something otherworldly beneath the surface.
I would love to go to Scotland and see all the views. I love all the pic’s I see of Scotland. Also would love to meet a tall, dark and handsome Highlander to snuggle up with. Yummy
My DH (the Norwegian) reminds me that there is a lot of Nordic DNA in Scotland left over from the Vikings.
I’d love to visit Scotland for the castle ruins, the Scottish accent and the kilted men, of course. LOL
Edinburgh Castle was a fascinating place. Got to see the Crown Jewels and discovered something that became the inspiration for my current WIP–Once Upon a Plaid (due out Oct2014!)
Even though I think it’s a hoax, I enjoy reading about sightings of the Loch Ness Monster in the Scottish Highlands. It just adds a little mystery to any visit to Scotland.
I didn’t see Nessie, but I won’t rule him out.
My wish came true! Last June, we spend 2 wonderful weeks in the Highlands of Scotland. The landscapes were breathtaking and the Scottish people so charming, we stayed in B & B and the hosts always welcomed us with open char and a smile! We visited some amazing castles that I will never forget! I adored the Scottish accent! I would go back any time!
Thanks for the pictures you shared with me on FB, Nicole!
oops. meant to write: with open arms!
I’ve never been there but it sounds like such a beautiful country. Of course who wouldn’t want to see if there is actually men in kilts running around. 😉
That might be first on my list, Pamiam!
Don’t want to burst your bubble, but not every man should wear a kilt. Just sayin’…
Woohoo, Scotland! There are many guy legs to be seen! LOL But I would love to visit for the landscape and the castles. All those great princess imaginations needs to be put to the use; even if it’s just to ouuu and ahhh.
It’s such a gorgeous country, ki pha. I would love to visit Skye, particularly.
We cruised past Skye. It was shrouded in clouds, lovely and mysterious.
I would love to travel to Scotland! I want to visit all of the castles I’ve read about in my favorite romance novels and research books.
Me too, Jennifer!
There are so many wonderful castles and ruins to explore–it would take a long time to see them all, but I’d love it.
I would love to visit Scotland. I have Scottish blood on my Mother’s side. A great opportunity to chase up some long, lost relatives. Also, swoon – men in kilts.
I have Scottish blood on my dad’s side, Mary.
I’m afraid I’m mostly English on both sides. My dad’s people came to America in the 1600s, which tells me they were in trouble in the Old Country!
For the guys in kilts of course. Why else would anyone want to go there?? They are everywhere, right?
LOL! I’m sure they’re on every street corner, Lisa.
I doubt the haggis is what draws folk in. Though to be honest, we tried it and it was good. I just couldn’t think about what it was as we were eating it.
would like to visit the countryside
Me, too!
It’s gorgeous.