Monday, October 5, 2015

Today's Special - - Paula Quinn

I'm delighted to welcome historical romance author Paula Quinn to TRD today. It took Paula's family a while to convince her to submit her stories but I am so glad that she did! She's been publishing her highlander romances since 2005 and her MacGregors of Camlochlin are one of my favorite fictional families. Her newest book, The Taming of Malcolm Grant is a second generation story that stole my heart. A few fun facts about Paula from her website:

 My character who... 
...I fell the most in love with: Callum MacGregor. 
...made me smile the most: Finlay Grant 
...I found the sexiest: Dante Risande, Prince Gareth and Tristan MacGregor 
...I wanted to slap a few times: Claire Stuart 
...affected me in a profound way: William the Conqueror 
...I want to be friends with: Maggie MacGregor and Davina Montgomery 
...I find distractingly handsome: Connor Grant 
...sex scenes were the easiest to write: Connor Grant and Brand Risande 
...I hated: all of my villains


For more information about Paula and her books, visit her website and connect with her online (links at the end of this post). 



Welcome, Paula! Congratulations on the release of The Taming of Malcolm Grant. I’ve been looking forward to this story for the longest time. Please tell our readers what they can expect from Malcolm and Emma’s book.

Thank you so much for inviting me! It’s a pleasure to be here!

Hmm, what can you expect from Malcolm and Emma’s book? You can expect sizzle! Lots of swagger from a hero who has basically had every thing, including women, handed to him with the slant of his smile. You can expect him to fall flat on his handsome face when he meets a woman who isn’t affected by what she sees. You can expect romance and action and even a seeing eye dog.

Emma is one of my favorite heroines from the MacGregor/Grant series. What inspired you to create a blind character and why did you feel she was the right woman for Malcolm?

I already knew Malcolm from my precious books and I knew he needed someone to set him straight,
someone who wouldn’t be moved by his physical appearance. I knew Malcolm was changing from his earlier days, but it wasn’t enough to win the heart of someone like Emma. 

Emma doesn’t see with her eyes but with her heart, her intuition, her hands. Malcolm’s appearance doesn’t mean a damn thing to her. She’s looking for a good man with a good heart, a man of honor.  Lucky for Malcolm, the first “glimpse” she has of him is him rescuing her beloved dog.

Dogs play a pivotal role in many of your books. What role do they play in your real life?

Oh, gosh, there isn’t enough time! I grew up with dogs. My dad brought home my first dog when I was three, a black lab/terrier, who shared my life for fifteen years. I currently am owned by six Chihuahuas whose collect weight is twenty-three pounds. They are the light of my life and bring joy to me everyday.

Malcolm is so much more than he appears to those who take him at face value. In what ways did he surprise you while creating his story?

When Malcolm first appeared in The Seduction of Miss Amelia Bell, he was a careless rake whose only mission in life was to fight and bed women. He did both often and well.  I saw changes in him when he appeared in The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd. When he sided with his sister, Caitrina ‘s decision to stay with her pirate and leave Camlochlin, I saw traces of regret that he hadn’t known love. Before I began writing his book, I sensed him as a lonely man in a mask with a very complex heart and a fear of never finding what his heart truly wanted.

You’re very skilled at creating a sense of time and place within your books. What draws you to the medieval era and to Scotland in particular?

Thank you for the huge compliment! I’ve always been drawn to the past, especially the medieval era. Much like my characters, I grew up on stories of King Arthur and his knights.  If there is a king or a knight involved, I’m in!  Scotland began to tug on my heartstrings about six years before I wrote the book that started it all, Laird of the Mist. I’d cry at the sound of bagpipes, fall into a dreamy daze looking at pictures, etc. It took a long time to tackle a Scotland set story because I thought it would be too emotionally draining. It was. Researching and writing about the MacGregors and the proscription against them had me crying more than I was writing.  They are the clan of my heart and I’m so honored to tell their stories.

What’s the last book that made you laugh out loud?

I have to say—mostly because I don’t have much time to read—that it was one of my own. Seduced By A Highlander. Tristan and Tamas. J

October is the month when changing leaves, college football and homemade soups bring me joy. What are you looking forward to this month?

Ah, sweaters and boots and scarves. Scarves are my weakness. Not sweating will be nice too!

Where can readers connect with you online?

I love to connect with my readers. I can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Paula-Quinn-Author-336691429368/timeline/
And on Twitter @Paula_Quinn

What’s next from Paula Quinn?

I’m currently working on book 1 of 4 of my Highland Heirs Part 2 series. Cailean Grant, Malcolm’s younger brother gets his own story!

Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Paula. Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Thank you so much for having me! I had a blast!

Readers,  describe your perfect Highlander.


Readers, you know how much I enjoy sharing books I've loved. Leave a comment on today's post for a chance to win a copy of one of my favorite MacGregor books, Seduced by a Highlander.

Read my review of Seduced by a Highlander here.



36 comments:

  1. I do love a Highlander. I think that all the usual traits associated with a Highlander make them favorites; fiercely loyal, brave, confident, strong, generous of heart and spirit. I forgot YUMMY in a kilt!!

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  2. I love Paula's Highlanders. Through her books I found a love for Scotland and one day I'd love to go visit.The majority of time those with the biggest Swagger usually end up with the biggest heart. I can't wait to read Malcolm's story. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Ooops, forgot to add my perfect Highlander. If he wears a kilt and is big & brawny, speaks with a thick brogue and when he smiles he gets those little lines around his gorgeousblue or green eyes. In other words all highlanders. lol lol
      Crol L

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    2. Ooops, forgot to add my perfect Highlander. If he wears a kilt and is big & brawny, speaks with a thick brogue and when he smiles he gets those little lines around his gorgeousblue or green eyes. In other words all highlanders. lol lol
      Crol L

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    3. Malcolm's story is so good. He wasn't one of my favorite characters in earlier books but I adored his story...and him in it!

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    4. Carol, thank you so much. Hearing that means so much to me! I see you're a sucker for green or blue eyes, just like me!

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  3. I love Paula's Highlanders. Through her books I found a love for Scotland and one day I'd love to go visit.The majority of time those with the biggest Swagger usually end up with the biggest heart. I can't wait to read Malcolm's story. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  4. Highlanders are absolutely my favorite type of read. The wildness of the setting and the man. A man that is willing to die for you! Once you get past the strong/alpha exterior, he has a heart of gold :) And being a hunk with a sword doesn't hurt either lol.

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    1. Yep, all very good qualities in my heroes of choice! :)

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    2. Catslady, the setting means a lot, doesn't it? I love them rugged. The man and the land!

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  5. I love reading about Highlanders. My perfect Highlander would be brave, strong, loyal, honest, love only me, love animals and children, and wear a kilt.

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  6. Highlanders are courageous, loyal and principled. What a lovely giveaway and very interesting interview. Thanks.

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  7. I enjoy reading about Highlanders since they are real men with strength and values that are authentic.

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    1. They are very authentic; one of the things I most like about them.

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    2. Petite, I agree. I love your description!

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  8. Adore Paula's books! Highlanders are one of my fav romance heroes. Besides the kilt and the fact they weild a big sword *ahem* its their loyalty and their honor that makes me swoon. Broad shoulders also a must. :)

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    1. Gotta love those big "swords!" :)

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    2. Thank you so much, Karyn! Honor makes me swoon too :) Knowing how to wield a big sword doesn't hurt!

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  9. I love reading about these sexy Highlanders. I love their brawn, their courage, their strength, wielding their swords, riding off to battle and what's hiding under their kilts!!

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  10. I do love stories about Highlanders. When Paula said 'Seduced by a Highlander' made her laugh out loud it made me really want to read that book!

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    1. It's one of the reasons why Seduced by a Highlander is among my favorite Paula Quinn books.

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    2. Di, oh, you must read about Tristan and Tamas!

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  11. Looks like a lot of people share my love of highlanders!

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  12. Congratulations! I love the cover.

    Denise

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    1. I love those arms on the cover!

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    2. Ds,my daughters and I went to the cover shoot and met the model. What a fun day! :)

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  13. I love Scottish historical romances, especially if they are set in the Highlands during the Middle Ages!

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