We are two days away from Burns Night in Scotland.
Sigh.
Scotland.
Let's get a head start on the celebration by welcoming Mia Marlowe, coauthor of SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER.
Kim: You wrote in your bio that you'd rather have an adventure than a new sofa. Your bio also includes 10 “fun facts,” including surfing in Hawaii, riding an elephant, and moving more times than mortal should. If I didn't know better, I would think you are a military spouse! What did you learn about yourself after these adventures?
Mia: Mostly I learned that I am genetically programmed to seek out new experiences. I’m also always up for a new challenge. This has been terrific for my writing. Nothing is ever wasted on a writer. We store up experiences and emotions (good and bad) and bequeath them to our literary children later.
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| The Out of Towners by Jack Vettriano Vettriano hails from Fife, Scotland. |
Kim: On your website, www.miamarlowe.com, you explain how you connected with Connie Mason. I am curious how two authors write a book together. Can you give a glimpse into the process?
Mia: Since Connie is the senior author for this project, she picked the setting and time period. She’d written Scottish romances before, but Sins of the Highlander is my first foray into the world of kilted heroes. I dove into the research with abandon and came away loving these honorable rogues. Our voices are actually pretty similar. It was noted by several reviewers when my debut title first came out. Since our voices and preferences for adventurous, sensual stories are so in sync, the partnership has been very harmonious.
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| Mary, Queen of Scots, was born in Linlithgow Palace historic-scotland.gov.uk |
Kim: The reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, is a fascinating time in Scottish history. What resources did you use for this time period?
Mia: The Life of Mary, Queen of Scots by Graham was very helpful. And of course, we used the internet. How did authors research without Google? I used the BBC site (at this link), for a look at clothing of the period I went with this link, a page by a cultural anthropologist. We needed a map for this story since our hero and heroine were traveling for much of it, so we used this link. You may notice I’m not citing Wikipedia. It may be a good place to start, but unless I can corroborate details from another source, I don’t trust it implicitly.
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| Vettrianos' THE SINGING BUTLER |
Kim: From your bio, your daughter replied, “Well, of course, my mom can do it. She's a Renaissance woman. She can do anything!” I love that you have taught your daughter to recognize such strength! I believe the Scots also embrace “Renaissance” qualities. What draws you to them? Does your hero or heroine demonstrate any “Renaissance” qualities?
Mia: I can’t take credit for my kids. They are simply terrific despite me.
The whole idea of a “Renaissance” mind-set is that all the disciplines are interrelated. That’s why you had artists/scholars who were also warriors, statesmen and scientists. Nowadays we say someone is a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” In the Renaissance, that was the ideal. The fully actualized man knew a bit about everything and could shine in all. My hero Rob is a warrior and clan leader, but he also has a poet’s heart, even if he isn’t able to verbalize it often.
Kim: What’s next for Mia Marlowe?
Mia: My next release is coming February 28th. It’s Touch of a Rogue, the second book in my Touch of Seduction series. Don’t worry. You don’t have to read them in order. My hero Jacob Preston has the “gift of touch,” the ability to glean secret information when he touches metal objects. It’s a helpful oddity when it comes to solving mysteries, but a handicap at dinner parties. Silverware is so very chatty. If you’d like a taste of this story, please visit my website at this link.
Connie Mason and I have another release coming this summer called Lord of Fire and Ice and we’re currently working on a new Regency-set series called The Royal Rakes. Readers who loved Connie’s Rogues will also love this new trio of stories.
While you’re on my website, be sure to enter my website contest at this link. The Grand Prize is a new Kindle! You’ll also be automatically signed up for my newsletter so you’ll be notified when my new books come out.
;-) I love connecting with readers and would be happy to see you on Facebook (at this link) and Twitter (at this link) too!
Here’s a question to get the conversation going today: What do you think about a basically good character doing something bad—like abducting someone against their will?
Mahalo, Mia, for joining us at SOS Aloha! Sourcebooks is giving away two print copies of SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER:
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 the Highlander.
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. Mia Marlowe is a highly acclaimed new voice in romance whose debut novel released in Spring 2011 from Kensington. She lives in Boston, MA. Together, they are working on a new Regency romance series for Sourcebooks Casablanca, the first of which will be in stores in Fall 2012. For more information, please visit www.conniemason.com, www.miamarlowe.com and follow Mia on Twitter @Mia_Marlowe.
To enter the giveaway,
Mia: I can’t take credit for my kids. They are simply terrific despite me.
The whole idea of a “Renaissance” mind-set is that all the disciplines are interrelated. That’s why you had artists/scholars who were also warriors, statesmen and scientists. Nowadays we say someone is a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” In the Renaissance, that was the ideal. The fully actualized man knew a bit about everything and could shine in all. My hero Rob is a warrior and clan leader, but he also has a poet’s heart, even if he isn’t able to verbalize it often.
Kim: What’s next for Mia Marlowe?
Mia: My next release is coming February 28th. It’s Touch of a Rogue, the second book in my Touch of Seduction series. Don’t worry. You don’t have to read them in order. My hero Jacob Preston has the “gift of touch,” the ability to glean secret information when he touches metal objects. It’s a helpful oddity when it comes to solving mysteries, but a handicap at dinner parties. Silverware is so very chatty. If you’d like a taste of this story, please visit my website at this link.
Connie Mason and I have another release coming this summer called Lord of Fire and Ice and we’re currently working on a new Regency-set series called The Royal Rakes. Readers who loved Connie’s Rogues will also love this new trio of stories.
While you’re on my website, be sure to enter my website contest at this link. The Grand Prize is a new Kindle! You’ll also be automatically signed up for my newsletter so you’ll be notified when my new books come out.
;-) I love connecting with readers and would be happy to see you on Facebook (at this link) and Twitter (at this link) too!
Here’s a question to get the conversation going today: What do you think about a basically good character doing something bad—like abducting someone against their will?
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| Delacroix's ABDUCTION OF REBECCA |
Mahalo, Mia, for joining us at SOS Aloha! Sourcebooks is giving away two print copies of SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER:
SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER
BY CONNIE MASON & MIA MARLOWE
BY CONNIE MASON & MIA MARLOWE
IN STORES JANUARY 2012
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 the Highlander.
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. Mia Marlowe is a highly acclaimed new voice in romance whose debut novel released in Spring 2011 from Kensington. She lives in Boston, MA. Together, they are working on a new Regency romance series for Sourcebooks Casablanca, the first of which will be in stores in Fall 2012. For more information, please visit www.conniemason.com, www.miamarlowe.com and follow Mia on Twitter @Mia_Marlowe.
To enter the giveaway,
1. Answer Mia's question, What do you think about a basically good character doing something bad—like abducting someone against their will?
2. Sourcebooks' giveaway is open to North American Residents only. But I will give away a copy to one international readers (winner's choice of format).
3. Comments are open through Saturday, January 28, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 29.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Burns Night, check out this website.
The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn,
and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.
Robert Burns
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| Everyone celebrates Burns Night in Scotland! waterfrontnursery.co.uk |
I love the pic with little kids waving the Scottish flag. I guess it depends on what their motivation is. If the good character is trying to save the someone or the world I would judge them too harshly.
ReplyDeleteSo the ends justify the means. Understood.
DeleteSometimes a hero has to bend the rules and be bad. I love it when a hero does sometimes you just have to abduct the love of your life. :)
ReplyDeleteThe allure of the bad boy is hard to deny! ;-)
DeleteIt all depends. If it's with good intentions & doesn't really cause grief, or grievous harm to anyone else then it could be justified. I could imagine that abducting some1 against their will but if it were to say to save them from something else & there was really no other alternative; then yes. I could accept that in a story.
ReplyDeleteRevenge; that's different again! But the heroine always manages to win the hero over in spite of himself :)
Unfortunately, my hero cannot claim good intentions. He's set on revenge at the outset, but then, he's not called "Mad Rob" for nothing.
DeleteAs long as the hero is doing it for a noble reason then I'm all for it, especially if he abducts a woman and falls in love with her then it's all worth it for me :)
ReplyDeleteThen Sins of the Highlander won't disappoint you. ;-)
DeleteA good person doing bad things, can lead to interesting adventures. In books, it makes great characters. In real life it can build character. Of course, that depends on the degree of badness the act has. Robbing banks...bad, etc.
ReplyDeleteMoral confusion interests me because it makes for very conflicted characters.
DeleteGood characters doing something bad makes them more realistic and I like that. Nobody makes it through life doing perfect, wonderful things all the time. But, I do like it if the the "bad" thing eventually was done for a good reason....just something we don't know about for a while as the story progresses.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main "through lines" for fiction is the story where the character accomplishes his/her goal. A more interesting "through line" to me is one where the character grows enough that he/she has to change his/her goal.
DeleteCongrats to Mia and Connie on this new book. Sometimes there is a blurred line between right and wrong. I think we all step over it, maybe not with a kidnapping, but with other good intentions.
ReplyDeleteSue
Thanks, Sue. We're very excited about SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER!
DeleteA good person can do something that seems like a bad idea for all the right reasons as long as those reasons come out at some point in the book. Characters in books that make bad decisions are more likable I think because it makes them more realistic and believable.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Perfect people are downright annoying!
DeleteCongrats on the new release! I've read such wonderful reviews about this book! Can't wait to read it :)
ReplyDeleteI guess it all comes down to intention. If a good person does something bad, I guess if their intentions are good, then the end justifies the means. But... that does't get them out of suffering/having to live with the consequences.
Happy Monday!
Thanks, Erin. The reviews have been rather fabulous and we're thankful for every one!
DeleteIf the did with honorable intentions, they can usually redeem themselves.
ReplyDeleteI would need to know the reasoning behind the abduction before I condemned them.
ReplyDeleteRedemption is one of my favorite themes!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite type of story - highlanders :) I would hope that there was a good reason for it.
ReplyDeletecatslady
It's easier to take when I understand why this basically "good" character did the bad thing.
ReplyDeleteno one is completely perfect & that means occasionally doing the wrong thing. i think motive is important & one must ask "does the end justify the means"
ReplyDeletethe new book sounds like an enjoyable read, congrats on it's release :)
I think in fiction stories (and particularly historical romances) a hero doing something like kidnapping is easily accepted. I have read and enjoyed many historicals where the hero kidnaps the heroine and they end up falling in love. A lot of Highlanders have done this in books, probably in true life too, lol.
ReplyDeleteJune
I think he felt he had a good reason for doing it and I like reading these kinds of books to find out what his reason was. This book sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think it's OK as long as it's for a good reason and proprieties are still maintained. For example, if a Highland kidnaps a woman, no liberties will be taken - until they are married, at least. :D
ReplyDeleteI think that there are sometimes justifications for good characters doing something bad but occasionally there are actions that "cross the line" for me and I don't like those stories. We've all had times that we regret our actions in hindsight but there are some crimes that are virtually unforgivable. I read books for their HEA...so of course the 'bad things' must be something that can be atoned for.
ReplyDeleteIn a story, I can forgive my characters almost anything, if their heart is in the right place & the outcome is to my satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on in the story why they did it. If it is for a good reason, than would have to do some good stuff to make me forgive them. I have read a few stories that kidnapped the person for good reasons and some that did not take for good reasons. Most of the time the person forgives, but not always.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win. Have heard great things about Mia's books and would love to win and read this one. I love Highlander stories.
christinebails@yahoo.com
I love Mia's books! You know me, put a kilt in it and I'm so there!
ReplyDeleteI love Mias books I cant wait to get SOAH.
ReplyDeleteNow Kim you know me if it's a Scottish Highlander doing the abducting I am so there helping the wee laddie out.
And I know even if it is against her will at first She will be very willing very soon :)
Have a good one Ann/alba
I agree with June. And most of the Highlander books I read there's usually an acceptable kidnapping :) And the heroine eventually falls in love with the Rogue.:) In fiction it's all agreeable in the end. Congrats Mia on the release. I can't wait to read Mad Rob and Elspeth's tale.Love both Connie and Mia's books. So many more to look forward to as well.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
i think he will have a reason to do the abducting, so for me i dont mind ;)
ReplyDeletelooking forward to read this book, congrats mia ;)
I love Mia's book and can't want to read SOTH.
ReplyDeleteIf the story calls for an abduction then I don't mind. This just makes the story full of suspense and more romantic.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
That's what I call FUN...When basically good characters do something naughty...like kidnapping or even killing (to protect someone they love).
ReplyDeleteI've had trouble posting this week but it looks to be working now!
catherinelee100[at]gmail[dot]com
I want to read this book so badly I can't stand it! It intrigues me no end!
ReplyDeleteAbducting someone is wrong. But there could be good reasons for doing so - I think. Certainly gives one food for thought. Congratulations on Sins of the Highlander!
ReplyDeleteI think the more years I live the more I think that most things are not black and white so it's hard to classify people as good or bad since most people have their good and bad parts and the world is often not fair.
ReplyDeleteI love Mia's books. Have never read one of Connies, but think it's great that they are collaberating on several books.
ReplyDeleteIn a book, I can forgive a hero almost any bad deed as long as he has a good reason for doing so, and it turns out well so there is an HEA.
I would assume the character had their reasons for doing such a terrible thing. It would heighten the suspense of the story for me because I would be worried about this good person being punished for something they felt compelled to do. I would give them the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeletegeishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
Hey, it is wrong to abduct someone but they are historical romance and you have to expect that the hero will be redeemed so it is all good.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think about basically a good character doing something bad is that it makes for an interesting character to read! Personally, I think it depends on the character's motivations, circumstances and the degree of 'badness' of the act...
ReplyDelete