Monday, December 4, 2017

Today's Special - - Maggie Robinson





I'm delighted to welcome Maggie Robinson back to The Romance Dish. Maggie's new book, Redeeming Lord Ryder is the third book in her Cotswold Confidential historical romance series. It's another appealing blend of likable characters, humor, and heart-tugging emotion that Janga and I both thoroughly enjoyed. For more information about Redeeming Lord Ryder, be sure to read Janga's 5-star review.






PJ: Welcome back, Maggie! It’s always a pleasure to have you visit us. I’ve had such fun reading your Cotswold Confidential stories, eagerly anticipating each new release. Will you please tell our readers what they can expect from the newest book, Redeeming Lord Ryder?

Thank you so much for having me back! Redeeming Lord Ryder was a little challenging for me—there are lots of emotional challenges for my characters too. My heroine Nicola Mayfield has a form of selective muteness. She’s been injured in a horrific train accident and comes to Puddling-on-the-Wold, a sort of secret spa, to recover. The hero Jack Ryder is there too, to try to get over his guilt and depression for being responsible for a horrific train accident. You see where this is going, don’t you? Despite the serious nature of the obstacles, the book has humor and heart, and there is still banter, even though Nicola is writing and finger spelling instead of speaking. It was a joy to give Jack and Nicola their happy ending.



Janga: Did you get hungry writing this book? (I kept wanting to snack as I read it.)

LOL. I’m always hungry. The crumbs on my keyboard could keep me alive for days. One of the conditions of a stay in the Puddling rehabilitation resort is “everything in moderation.” For most of its Guests, they’ve overindulged in all sorts of things, so the diet on offer is bland and “nutritious” until they mend their wicked ways. Consequently, poor Jack, who hasn’t been exactly forthcoming on why he’s checked himself in, is nearly starved to death, while Nicola is cosseted and built up. Once Jack discovers her pantry, the course of true love is paved with peaches.


PJ: Speaking of eating, do you have a favorite holiday treat you enjoy making…or eating?  

I used to be a big “from-scratch” cook. I made jam and syrup and pickles with my four kids, but since my husband started watching the Food Network, he’s taken over in the kitchen and I am grateful for it. I still do holidays though. I can recommend my Idiot Dip, which my kids look forward to when they come home. One block of cheap yellow cheese (paper removed please), one can of chili with beans. Layer in microwave-proof dish and heat up for about 9 minutes. Stir. Serve with Cool Ranch Doritos. I’m sure it’s very bad for you, which makes it delicious. You can add another can of chili or some salsa if you want, but why gild the lily?

Janga: Did you edit anything out of this book that you found difficult to cut?

You know, most of the time I’ve been so lucky—I’ve never had to cut chapters or long scenes or do a major re-write, except for three books, Margaret Rowe’s Tempting Eden (had to make it more erotic!!!), Mistress by Midnight (had to kill the flashbacks, sniff), and The Unsuitable Secretary (where I had kitchen-sinked it and had to kill the whole second half of the book!). My Kensington editor has been wonderful and I don’t cringe when I get the revision notes.

PJ: Christmas is only a few weeks away. Does your family have any special holiday traditions?

We try to celebrate on Boxing Day, so the married kids and grandchildren have plenty of time to spend with their in-laws on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Whatever day gets picked, everyone stays in matching pajamas (showers are optional), champagne is popped at breakfast, and “cocktail party” food is rolled out of the kitchen at regular intervals (hello, Idiot Dip). The grandchildren play Wii and Xbox, lots of Legos are stepped on, and some sledding down our hill might be involved.






Janga: Are you planning more Cotswold Confidential books?

I have half of book 4 written, but I’ve been lured away by a super-secret-project. Fingers crossed. It’s a departure for me that I’m very excited about, but I don’t want to jinx it.








Rapid Fire Q&A:
Homebody or World traveler?

Both. When I’m home, I’m barefoot in a bathing suit and relaxed. I love to garden in the summer and sit on the dock in the sun (we live on a lake). But my husband and I travel several times a year. We’re going on a cruise in January and then spending some time in New Orleans. Let the good times roll.

Real or Artificial Christmas Tree?

Several years ago, we bought a pre-lit artificial tree that I’ve actually fallen in love with. No more cursing, tangled strings of lights, or pouring tree water on the wood floor instead of in the tree stand. I put fresh pine boughs on the mantel and in vases to keep that nature vibe.

Favorite holiday song?

Silent Night

Snowy cold or tropical beach?

Oh, we live in Maine. I’ve had enough of snowy cold. We usually try to get away for a little bit to warmer climes somewhere between January and April. I’ve loved renting cottages in England in early spring (which is much earlier than here) and exploring the countryside.

Eggnog: yes or no?

Yes, with or without alcohol. And fruitcake too! I’m very old-fashioned. ;)

Book you’re currently reading?

I’ve downloaded the Ruth Galloway Norfolk coast-set contemporary mystery series by Elly Griffiths, and am now on Book 3, The House at Sea’s End. Ruth is a forensic archaeologist who keeps getting mixed up in murders, and is a very untraditional heroine.

PJ: Where can readers find you online?

Website: www.maggierobinson.net
Facebook: (personal, where I post pictures of my adorable grandchildren!) https://www.facebook.com/maggie.robinson.165
Facebook: author page https://www.facebook.com/MaggieRobinsonBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaggieLRobinson

PJ: Would you like to add anything else?

Please sign up for my occasional newsletter! http://maggierobinson.us4.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=ce659a0c7e53bf8ef7cd81df1&id=991d2d8103 I’m kicking off January with a great contest. 

And today I’ll give away a download or print copy of the first book in the Cotswold Confidential series, Schooling the Viscount (an Amazon best romance of the month), or any book from my backlist. 

Where would you like to go to “get away from it all?” All I can say is that there’d better be good food, LOL.




49 comments:

  1. Good morning! Thank you so much for having me...I don't think I could write books without your support! Hope everyone has a great stress-free Monday (ha)!

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    1. Hi Maggie! *waving*

      It's always a special pleasure to host you here. It's so much fun to witness the success of authors I've known since "back in the pre-publication days." :) I'm so happy to hear you plan more Cotswold Confidential stories (I love this place!) but have to admit I'm oh so curious about the super-secret project!

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  2. Oh...I'd love to get away again to a cottage in an English village. Nothing fancy. No butlers. Preferably with ceilings that don't knock my husband out, LOL.

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  3. Maggie - I loved this book. I have loved all the books in this series. Hope you and your family have a lovely holiday - then get back to writing #4 (and super-duper-project), since I can't wait to read the next Puddling-on-the-wold :-)

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    1. Deb, thank you so much! And congrats on your book release this week! Yay all around!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by, Deb! I'm with you. I love this series!

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  4. I've read this series as yet but sounds wonderful. We took a cruise one over 40 yrs. ago and I think it's a perfect way to get away - you don't have to leave the comfort of the ship if you don't want, everything is done for you, but if you want to explore you can.

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    1. I highly recommend this series, catslady. They are wonderful stories. As I like to say, they touch your heart while tickling your funny bone! :)

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  5. Sorry, meant to say I haven't read this series as yet.

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    1. Good morning, catslady! I tried to get my husband on a cruise for years. At the time, he was working and wearing a coat & tie every day, and the thought of getting dressed up on vacation was a no-go. Now he owns 2 tuxedos, LOL. And there are so many cruises where you never have to dress up for dinner. We really do relax and have been to lots of interesting places.

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    2. I love cruising! I managed to get my late husband to take two of them (he wasn't big on coat and tie either). The first was a study in how fast people could get seasick (rough sea - I didn't) but the second, a 7-day Caribbean cruise, was sheer bliss.

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  6. I agree. Wonderful characters, a delightful and crazy little town, and lots of humor. I hope you get a chance to read Maggie's books.

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  7. Getting away to a tranquil beach where the sun shines and the water is warm. A winter getaway which is relaxing.

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  8. I enjoyed your lovely interview and your books sound memorable. I need blue skies and warmth so this means flying somewhere with heat and beauty.

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    1. Sounds like we need to reserve that tropical island!

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    2. Thank you, petite! I'm with you, as long as it's not too hot or humid. :)

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  9. I would love to get away to the UK. I was there once as a kid, but now I know so much more of the history and would love to see it again, and hit some of the spots I missed.

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    1. Visiting the UK is on my wish list, especially Scotland.

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    2. I love everything about traveling in the UK. We've had some fantastic holidays there, and now have good friends we see every time we go. Every now and again I think about renting a flat in London for six months--but I probably can't afford it, LOL.

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  10. I'd love to go to the mountains of East Tennessee

    denise

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    1. I've never been to Tennessee. Would like to go to Nashville sometime. :)

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    2. East Tennessee has some beautiful country. It's especially nice during the leaf change in the fall and when spring flowers are in bloom.

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  11. Now that it's gotten cold and the dark comes early, I'd love to go someplace warm - maybe Hawaii!

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  12. I've never been there either. Any beach would be good.

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  13. I've yet to read your books, but sound interesting. We live in MN and since I retired a few years ago, hubby & I go away in February to get away from the cold. The last two years we went on cruises.

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    1. I think Minnesota and Maine have a lot in common! Brr...

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  14. Oh, yes! A cabin in the woods in tje Summer sounds wonderful.

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    1. We live 3/10 of a mile down a dirt road leading to our own cabin in the woods. Love it all year except for the winter, LOL!

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  15. I’ve always wanted to visit Italy, but maybe that’s just my love of pasta talking??!!

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    1. Yum! We were in Venice last spring. Overwhelmingly beautiful.

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  16. A great post thank you. So long as I can paddle my feet in the ocean I'm happy.

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    1. As a teen I went to the beach almost every weekend. I love the ocean, but have made peace now with being a lake girl. :)

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  17. One of our best getaways was the week we spent in Carrabassett Valley, ME. It is a lovely area.We would like to go back again some time. The weeks we spent exploring Prince Edward Island and Cape Betton Island, Canada. My husband was stationed in Northern Maine, Loring AFB, when we got married. I love the Coast and mountains. Our next big planned trip is across norther US and Canada to Alaska and throughout that state. We bought a used small RV and plan on taking several months.
    We love to travel, but are slowing down. Age will do that to you. We were supposed to take the Alaska trip this year, but health issues got in the way. I really want to go to Ireland and Scotland and just wander the countryside.

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    1. I hope you get to do all you want! I hear you on the health issues. The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton is about the most beautiful place I've ever been!

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    2. The PEI and Cape Bretton trip was the best we have ever taken. We were in PEI on Sept. 11 and it was actually a good experience to see it from a different viewpoint than the siege mentality that took over many parts of the US. We would love to go back to Cape Bretton again. We never got to the rest of Nova Scotia and would like to.

      I don't know why I can't sign into my Google account. I don't like doing it by the anonymous option.

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    3. I will have to sign in as Patricia B.

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  18. I have always loved Maggie's books but haven't started this series yet. Great interview. I'd love to what Maggie did by renting a small cottage in Cotsworld. It looks so peaceful and beautiful n the pictures I've seen.But if I can get to Italy and Scotland I'd be very happy indeed :)
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Get started, LOL! We loved our stays, especially in Painswick. What a pretty little town, and close to lots of interesting stuff.

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  19. I'd escape to a cabin in the mountains (doesn't matter which ones, as long as I've got a great view). I've loved the mountains ever since we moved to Tennessee from flat Florida when I was a child.

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  20. We spend a month at the beach although it isn't in the summer....

    Kate Sparks girlygirlhoosier52 at yahoo.com

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  21. Even though winter is approaching, and many people like warm weather, I've never stayed at a ski lodge. That sounds like fun.

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  22. I love getting away by going back home to England. I've read several of Maggie's books and really enjoyed them.

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