Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Blog Tour: Interview with Kathleen Harrington!



WELCOME TO THE BLOG, KATHLEEN! :)



Kathleen Harrington, winner of the Colorado Romance Writers' Award of Excellence, has touched the hearts of readers across the country with her sparkling tales of high adventure and unending love. Her historical romances have been finalists for Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice, Virginia Romance Writers' HOLT Medallion, and the Phoenix Desert Rose Golden Quill. Her fabulous heroes have garnered the K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. She lives in Southern California.











Where to Find Kathleen:


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The_Book_Queen: Hi Kathleen! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Kathleen: I'd be happy to! I live in Southern California. My hobbies are gardening and floral design. I don't plant veggies, but I love to grow flowers. I'm especially proud of my roses. I take a floral design class with longtime friends. We never "graduate" from the class. We just keep taking it together, semester after semester, so it's as much a social as a creative learning occasion. I also take yoga classes at a nearby community center. I take them as much for the meditation as the physical exercise. Both are so important if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, as I do.



TBQ: *nods* What made you decide to start writing? Why romance?

K: I began creating stories early on. My cousins and I would "act out" scenes from our favorite movies and stories we'd read. From there, I started to write in high school and then college. Mostly short stories and poetry. After graduating from college, I began writing stories for my own enjoyment.. After taking several semesters in writing fiction in the California University system, I began writing in earnest.

There was never a question of my writing romance! I devoured romances from the time I discovered Georgette Heyer's Regency romance, April Lady, when I was in high school.



TBQ: I can't believe I've never read any of Heyer's books; they're classics, it seems, for enjoying this genre! :)
 
Your newest release, Lachlan's Bride, finally continues the series you started in 1999. Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

K: My Highland Lairds Trilogy is centered around three Scottish brothers, who are privateers. They are loosely based on actual historic figures---three brothers who sailed under the Scottish flag carrying letters of marque and reprisal signed by King James IV. Their purpose was to seize English, Dutch and Flemish pirate ships preying on Scottish merchantmen. The first book tells the story of the fictional oldest brother, Laird Rory MacLean.

The second book tells the story of the middle brother, Lachlan MacRath. The plot is woven around the true historic journey of Princess Margaret Tudor to Edinburgh to marry King James and become the Queen of Scotland. Lachlan is sent as an official representative of the Scottish king to accompany the royal bride to Scotland. As the journey progresses, Lachlan learns he must protect Lady Francine Walsingham and her young daughter from a plot against her life.

I believe readers who enjoy stories of Highland warriors will fall in love with Lachlan MacRath. He's as ferocious as they come. And who can resist a warrior in a kilt?



TBQ: Who indeed? I sure can't! :)
Why do Lachlan and Francine belong together?

K: That is such a great question! And really key to the romance. We don't want the two to "fall in love" simply because they're in the same story. We want to believe that their love is deep and strong. So strong, it will stand the test of time.

Lachlan and Francine believe, at first, that they have nothing in common. In fact, Francine considers Lachlan MacRath little more than a felon, since Henry Tudor had earlier put a price on his head for the depredations of the English fleet. But Francine and Lachlan are intelligent and talented people, and they find a common bond in their creativity and love of music. Francine recognizes in the Scottish laird a loyalty and familial bond which will make him a loving husband and father. When she sees his kindness and caring for her child, she knows she can trust him to be a loving stepfather.
 
 
TBQ: Well, I think you did a wonderful job, I could see how they belonged together!
When writing each novel, do you listen to certain songs, like a playlist for the story. If so, what was the playlist for Lachlan's Bride.
K: I don't have a separate playlist for each story, but I do listen to classical music while I'm writing. I listen to Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi--all the greats, including in opera and ballet. Some of my favorites are MADAMA BUTTERFLY, CARMEN, and SWAN LAKE. At this moment, I'm listening to the Alleluia Chorus from Handel's MESSIAH.  Writing the Highland Lairds Trilogy, I've especially enjoyed Phil Coulter's SCOTTISH TRANQUILITY, which includes the Scottish classic, LOCH LOMOND. That one always gives me chills, it's so beautiful.
 
 
TBQ: I had to look up "Loch Lomond"--you're right, it is beautiful! :)
In five words or less, describe Francine for us.
K: Strong-willed, devoted mother, creative, playful, superstitious.
 
 
TBQ: *nods* And let's not forget Lachlan---what's he like?
K: Ferocious warrior, musically talented, supremely self-confident, invincible.
 
 
TBQ: *sighs* Who wouldn't love a man like that? :)
Do you have a favorite part from Lachlan's Bride? (If spoilers are involved, you can be vague.)
K: One of my favorite scenes is when Lachlan is bathing and Francine is peeking at him. Here's a snippet:


Lachlan turned his head to meet her gaze and held out his hand to her. "Join me," he coaxed, his voice warm and inviting.
Francine realized there was nothing she'd rather do than snatch her nightdress over her head and clamber into the tub with the long limbed Scotsman.
She shook her head. "I've already bathed. Thank you."
His wicked grin enticed her. "That shouldn't stop you, Francie. A bath is twice as enjoyable when shared with another."

 
 
TBQ: I loved that scene, too! I was tempted to push Francine out of the way and join him myself! ;)
I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. But I have to ask you, What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?
K: One of my favorite authors is Ken Follett. I'm presently re-reading THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, which is set in Medieval times and tells about the building of the great cathedrals. Another author I enjoy is Patrick O'Brian. I just finished BLUE AT THE MIZZEN, from his Aubrey/Maturin Novels. I also enjoy a Scottish writer, Dorothy Dunnett, who wrote THE GAME OF KINGS series (not to be confused with GAME OF THRONES, which I also love!). Some of my favorite romance authors include Julie Garwood, Amanda Quick, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
 
 
TBQ: We've all fallen for a hero (or two, or three, or...ahem). Tell us one hero that you've fallen for---who is he and what drew you to him?
K: I found the Roman general, Maximus, played by Russell Crowe in the movie, GLADIATOR, a fantastic hero. He displayed so much love and loyalty to his family---his wife and son, who were murdered by Emperor Commodus. And Maximus' bravery and strength as a gladiator in the arena! Wow! I loved the scene where Commodus' beautiful sister of the came to see Maximus, when he was chained to the wall. He just exuded courage and manliness!
 
 
TBQ: Oh my--I really must watch this movie. Why haven't I watched it before now? (sigh)
 
What's next? Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming release or WIP?
K: I'm presently working on the third book in the Highland Lairds Trilogy, which is centered on Keir MacNeil, the third brother. Keir is sent by James IV to the Hebrides to quell an insurrection led by the Macdonald clan, the Lords of the Isles.
 
 
SPEED ROUND:
 
A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
I'll take the secluded island, as long as it's not too secluded. I wouldn't want to be there all alone!


Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet "my-heart-skips-a-beat" one.
I prefer spicy to sweet, but I enjoy both.

 
Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy Highlander OR  a devilishly handsome English lord?
Mm. I've written both types of heroes---and fell in love with both. If I must choose, I'd have to say the Highlander. (It's a hard decision, I know!)

 
Hot summer days OR cold winter nights.
Cold winter nights are much better for snuggling and sleeping.

 
Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and wilderness.
I'd take that mountain home surrounded by nature and wildlife.

 
If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
These are hard choices to make! I'm not sure, but I do know that I'm fascinated by the world in GAME OF THRONES! I think it would be so fantastic to enter that world---dangerous, but fascinating!

 
Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Definitely, the blurb.

 
Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up)?
Slow and sweet, thank you.

 
Quick---name the one food that you cannot live without?
Ice cream drumsticks.

 
And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:

1. I write in my pajamas till I'm falling asleep in front of the monitor.

2. Then I watch re-runs of sit-coms while sitting in bed.

3. I eat ice cream drumsticks while sitting in bed watching re-runs of sit-coms every night before I turn out the light.

 
 
The_Book_Queen: Thanks so much for stopping by, Kathleen, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! :) Now you have me craving an ice cream drumstick! *pouts* I look forward to the next book in this series!
 


Kathleen: Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts with your readers.



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Lachlan's Bride by Kathleen Harrington
Publisher: Avon Impulse (May 14, 2013)
Series: Highland Lairds, 2
Genre: Historical Romance
 
He is Lachlan MacRath, laird and pirate. And he intends to be her lover…
Lady Francine Walsingham cannot believe this warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain his success as a pirate? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.

When Lachlan first sees Francine, the blonde beauty stirs his blood like no woman ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her…and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.




Where to Buy*:
More Info:



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Thanks so much for stopping by today, Kathleen, I enjoyed our interview and I look forward to reading more of your books! :)






Enjoy!



 Until Next Time,


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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

4 comments :

Lisa Filipe said...

Love this interview!!! Thank you for hosting!

Debbie Haupt said...

Great interview, thanks. Love Kilt romances :)

Debbie Haupt said...

Great interview, thanks. Love Kilt romances :)

Lisa Filipe said...

Love this interview!!! Thank you for hosting!