McQuiston's debut, What Happens in Scotland is one of the highlights of my historical romance reading this year. It had me grinning from beginning to end but, as much as I loved it, I enjoyed her upcoming September 24th release, Summer is for Lovers even more. While McQuiston's quirky humor is evident, this sophomore book showcases a greater depth of emotion and the author's growth as a writer. A rising star of romance, McQuiston is an author to watch...and read! If you haven't read her books yet, now is a great time to give one a try. What Happens in Scotland (where we first meet David Cameron) is currently available for download to your Kindle or Nook for only $0.99!
Please give Jennifer McQuiston a warm Romance Dish welcome!
Will the Real David Cameron Please Stand Up?
(Or: Why a Romance Author Should Always Google Their Characters’ Names)
In my first historical romance, What
Happens in Scotland, I blithely introduced two secondary characters who
would go on to anchor their own books. I named the man who would become the hero
for my second book David Cameron, a name that just seemed to pop (*poof*!) into
my head. A rake who likes to dally with maids and who *may* have abandoned a
young woman in the first book, I knew I had my work cut out for me to turn him
into a bona fide hero in my second book, Summer is
for Lovers.
What I didn’t realize, however, was that I had also given
him the same name as Britain’s prime minister.
In my defense, I am an apolitical sort of creature. Half the
time I couldn’t tell you the name of my state’s governor, much less any details
about international politics. I have to imagine I’d internalized this name into
my subconscious as something quintessentially British, then trotted it out—completely
oblivious—at the most inappropriate time imaginable.
I shudder to think what my British readers must think of me.
It would be like an English author naming their hero Barack Obama, for heaven’s
sake! But by the time I realized it, book #1 was already out in print and David
Cameron was already a living, breathing character in people’s heads.
So here I am: two David Camerons, and a whole lot of
explaining to do.
Lest you begin to find yourself as confused as I, here are
some important differences to keep in mind as you read Summer is for Lovers:
Picture
|
Mr. David Cameron
 |
|
Birthdate
|
June 17, 1810
|
October 9, 1966
|
Hair
|
Blondish, curly (don’t let the pic fool you…)
|
Brownish and thinning
|
Eye Color
|
Blue
|
Blue
|
Physique
|
Yuuuuuuuummy
|
Needs a few bench presses. And probably a stylist.
|
Why You Should Know Him
|
Roguish hero of
Summer is for Lovers
|
Freaking Prime Minister of Britain
|
Heritage
|
Scottish
|
Scottish, Welsh, English
|
Political leanings
|
Equal Opportunist Rogue
|
Liberal Conservative
|
Profession
|
Former soldier, serves as magistrate of the little Scottish town of
Moraig
|
Former Director of Corporate Affairs at a Communications Company
|
Love Interest
|
Miss Caroline Tolbertson, social misfit. Secret swimmer and wistful
dreamer. Determined to save her family from financial ruin.
 |
Samantha Cameron, poised Society Beauty, distant cousin of Princess
Dianna. Voted “Best Accessory Designer” by British Glamour magazine in 2009
 |
Vacation Preferences
|
Victorian seaside resort of Brighton
|
Portugal, Tuscany
|
There you have it! The two David Camerons. Easy enough to
keep apart in your head, now that you know I wasn’t really thinking of one when
I created the other.
Now the REAL question is, who would you rather imagine as
the hero of your own romance?
One person leaving a comment, randomly selected, will receive a retro box of salt water taffy and a copy of Jennifer's book. (U.S. only)
One person leaving a comment, randomly selected, will receive a retro box of salt water taffy and a copy of Jennifer's book. (U.S. only)
His heart is unavailable. Luckily, her interest lies in
the rest of him…
Though she was just a girl when they first met, Caroline Tolbertson’s infatuation with David Cameron remains undimmed. Now fate has brought the handsome Scotsman back to Brighton for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. Soon, Caroline will have to choose a husband, but for now she is free to indulge her curiosity in things of a passionate nature.
That is, if David will agree to teach her.
Past mistakes have convinced David he’ll make a terrible husband, though he’ll gladly help the unconventional Caroline find a suitor. Unfortunately, she has something more scandalous in mind. As the contenders for her hand begin to line up, her future seems assured…provided David can do the honorable thing and let them have her.
Jennifer
McQuiston writes Different. Historical.
Romance. She lives in Atlanta, GA, where she works as an infectious disease
researcher for the CDC and tries desperately to stay out of international
politics. Visit her at www.jenmcquiston.com, or follow her on Twitter
@jenmcqwrites and Facebook at www.facebook.com/jennifermcquistonauthor.
I love romance books with humor! I had to giggle at the prime minster having the same name! I have to say I much prefer your David!
ReplyDeleteAs for my own hero hmmm can I get a sexy Irish man :)... Don't tell my hubby ;) lol
Well, my first reaction was not to giggle, I can tell you that. It was to call my editor in a panic and say "do I need to change his name????" But once it was clear it was too late (something about that first book, What Happens in Scotland, already being out), there was nothing left to do but own it. I had fun making that table!
DeleteLOL How would the British people feel reading that list of yours of their Prime minister! The thinning of his hair and the need of a few bench presses and a stylist? LOL
ReplyDeleteWe love your Jen!
For the hero of my own? All the heroes in all the books I've read~. I like to jump around depending on the scenes and the stories. :) But I suppose a smexy English or Scottish lord word suffice! hmmm a Scotland yard officer? A Spy? An inventor?....
Oh, goodness! Isn't that a funny thing to come across?! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy mind always comes up with imaginary men for each book I've read. So far, no complaints *GRIN*
And THAT is why I love Romance Readers! We are widely accepting of all our heroes!
DeleteDefinitely prefer your David! Politicians are rarely my preferred hero. :-)
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!
DeleteI agree, like your David much more. :) I love a kilted Scotsman and gorgeous Irishman form way back .
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your book.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks for stopping by Carol! Well, I have a Scotsman for you, sure enough... although he doesn't wear a kilt (at least not at the beach). I had to give him some unutterables to strip down to....
Deletehaha I think your David Cameron is better. Politicians, with very few exceptions, suck IMO and in no way can I connect them with heroes, especially romance heroes!! I'm definitely going to come up with my own image of him when I read his story!!
ReplyDeleteP.S. - just wanted to say I absolutely LOVE the cover!! The colors really captured my attention
P.P.S - please don't enter me, sadly I'm not American :(
Hi Ada, thanks so much for stopping by! So glad you like the cover... I almost fell out of my chair the first time I saw it. I have settled into numb gratefulness, and a distinct sense of awe that this gets to be MY cover. :)
DeleteThey probably secretly agree with me! Honestly, David Cameron Prime Minister is probably pretty hunky for a politician... I just don't think he hold a candle to David Cameron, Romance hero. :) You are clearly meant to read historical romance kipha, with all those yummy heroes in mind!
ReplyDeleteUgg, this was in reply to Kipha's comment above!
DeleteI like your David Cameron as a fictional hero much better and his political leaning is great. I use the author's description to imagine the hero usually.
ReplyDeleteHi Maureen! I usually use the author's description too. I don't like to picture real people as my fictional heroes.
DeleteI like your David better the whole time I read WHIS I thought I knew this name and couldn't place it. I have no hero at this time.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, the same happened to me but I didn't clue in to why the name was familiar until about halfway through reading an advanced copy of Summer is for Lovers. I get so involved with the characters of a well-written book that I tend to shut out the "real" people. :)
DeleteHi Jennifer! Welcome! First of all, let me tell you how very much I loved Summer is for Lovers. Highly recommend, readers!
ReplyDeleteI keep up with international affairs but I never made the hero connection until about halfway through Summer is for Lovers. By that time, your David was firmly affixed in my mind and, other than noting that the two men had the same name, there was no confusion or cross-over for me.
First of all, I have to tell you how much I loved "What Happens in Scotland". I've been looking forward to David's story, and can't wait to read "Summer is for Lovers".
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny that you named your latest hero, "David Cameron". To be honest, I'm not at all offended, and think that the comparison chart is great. I think that the British David, would also find it amusing.
Now, I always imagine my heroes to be Henry Cavill (for a dark hair hero), or Rupert Penry-Jones (if he's a blonde hair hero).
Thank you for this chance to win.
Diane, David's story is everything I had hoped for...and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
DeleteHenry Cavill's not a bad image to carry! :)
Oh Henry is my hero *sigh* Have you checked out Rupert Penry-Jones? He's to die for and a true English gentleman. Here's a pic of him.
Deletehttp://www.pinterest.com/pin/343329171562903697/
What Happens in Scotland was wonderful! Can't wait for Jennifer's newest. I frequently think of Clive Owen as the hero.
ReplyDeleteClive Owen. A lovely image too!
DeleteTHAT. IS. HILARIOUS.
ReplyDeleteAnd I read the first one and didn't register about David Cameron and David Cameron--how sad is that? AND I do know that the "technically" more famous one is Prime Minister of Britain. Oh, well, David is surely going to write you a thank you note for making him such a lovely romantic hero--because in the end, he will prove he is the "man for the job"; he only wants to protect and serve; and his wife read your book and he got more sex out of it...I mean, really...
Heroes I imagine...usually I imagine them as they are written, not really looking like someone in particular (celebrity) per se, but usually they have qualities that remind me of my Deerhunter--so I usually imagine my Deerhunter as the hero a lot of the time. Unless the hero is one of the serious, stodgy types to begin with...then not so much. Then I imagine a young Colin Firth. *LOL*
THAT. IS. HILARIOUS.
DeleteI know! Isn't it a hoot? Don't feel about about not picking up on the names. You're in good company!
Sigh. I never get tired of staring at that cover :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ms Hellion. The real David Cameron is going to owe you a thank you note :)
I know. It's one of the most beautiful covers I've ever seen. I'd happily frame it and hang it on the wall. :)
DeleteWell, your hero, of course! Can't wait to read your new book. And I loved your debut, too. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Maria!
DeleteI have to admit, when I was reading "What Happens in Scotland" and I came across David Cameron, I kind of tilted my head and was like, "hmmmmmm" but then I stopped caring because it's a good story. I don't think your British readers will care very much either. I think they will very much be able to tell the difference between your David Cameron and their David Cameron, and, like me, they'll like yours a whole lot better.
ReplyDeleteI was so invested in the story that it slipped right under my reader radar. I agree with you on the British readers. I have a feeling they'll get a kick out of it.
DeleteJennifer, you are a new-to-me-author, but both of your books sound wonderful. I look forward to adding them to my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteI am very politically involved, but may not have paused at David Cameron's name, really. At other names of politicians, especially ones I do not like, yes, I would pause.
A movie and t.v. star from years ago who was and still is gorgeous is Tom Selleck. To me, he's the perfect hero to imagine in a book. Dreamy eyes, cute smile, dimples flashing in those cheeks.....Sigh.
Oh, Deb. You really should give Jennifer's books a try. They're wonderful!
DeleteRight there with you on Tom Selleck!
At the risk of sounding sappy, my hero has always been my husband. I’m so looking forward to reading “Summer is for Lovers.” Isn’t the cover just gorgeous?
ReplyDeletePerfect answer, Connie! I always say that about my DH, but chose TS above for a fictional hero.
DeleteNothing sappy about living the dream, Connie! :)
DeleteJennifer, I think it is so interesting that you are an infectious disease researcher as well as a writer of romances. The left and right sides of your brain are working together quite nicely! :-) By the way, I live in the Atlanta area, too.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new book. It has such a lovely, romantic cover!
To answer your question, Richard Armitage shows up frequently when I imagine the hero of a book. He would make the perfect arrogant duke or laird of his clan.
She's a woman of many talents!
DeleteI never visualize 6he hero or heroine as looking like any actor for some reason...
ReplyDeleteI don't either, jcp.
DeleteI never think of any actors or actresses because for some reason, they can never live up to my imagination.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteI haven't read the book yet but have it high on my TBR following a glowing review at Just Janga:
ReplyDeletehttp://justjanga.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Jennifer%20McQuiston.
I think the real Mr Cameron will welcome the potential boost to his popularity from the feminine vote as the next election is drawing near!
A few of us masculine voters might also be swayed! LOL
Hi, Q! So lovely to have you visit with us here at the Dish and nice to hear from the British contingent. Hope you'll drop by often!
DeleteI made the connection immediately but it didnt bother me much because YOUR David C is in a sexy romance....and that is that...
ReplyDeleteMy hero...I always imagine different folks....especially in historicals....one because I dont necessarily like some of the styles for men back then so I never imagine them in what they actually should historically should be wearing....I cannot help it, I dont do the wig dreaming thing....my heros do not wear those white wigs...LOL
CANNOT wait for this, chomping at the bit.
My imagination makes those subtle changes too, Hope. Don't like the way it really was? Let the imagination make it the way you want! :)
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming release. The cover is lovely. I'm an American, but I still associated the name with the prime minister. :) At least it wasn't a name with a horrendous reputation. I'm sure the link is forgotten once a reader is a few chapters into the book.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Kim. I can't imagine readers making comparisons as they're reading. This story, and the characters, reel you in from the get-go.
DeleteLOL I like your David so much more. I really don't imagine particular people when I read. I like to hear what the author has to say and imagine someone myself from that description - I figure the author knows best lol. And this is my favorite type of read!
ReplyDeleteI like Jennifer's David too. A lot! :)
DeleteI much prefer Jennifer's David Cameron - either the picture or the book description would be fine with me! I loved What Happens in Scotland & I'm looking forward to reading the new one!
ReplyDeleteI loved What Happens in Scotland. I love Summer is for Lovers even more!
DeleteI've been eagerly waiting for this book ever since I read WHIS, Jennifer, and I prefer your David Cameron. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm reading a book I imagine the characters as the author describes them. Not as a celebrity.
Marcy Shuler
bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hope you enjoy the new book, Marcy. I highly recommend it!
DeleteHi everyone, it was a looooong workday for me and no time to get away to comment, so will try to make up time here! I am so glad folks are excited... I confess, I haven't see a real book yet, and I am getting strung out, too! Maybe I SHOULD send a copy to one of his staffers, just to see what they say and offer my apologies? That would be a hoot.
ReplyDeleteActually, I am totally going to do this!!!!!
I am loving the fact that some folks imagine a Hollywood hero, while others invent a hero according to the author's description. I think I fall more in the latter camp while I am reading, but when I am writing, I sometimes have an actor/model's photo in mind. Two men met my internal musings for a fine David Cameron: U.S. country music star Dierks Bentley (yum, http://dierks.com/) and the late Heath Ledger (so sad).
Keep em coming folks!
I would definitely prefer your David, he sounds much yummier. I don't usually picture a real person while reading, I picture the hero by the author's description. :D
ReplyDeleteHe's very yummy, Barbara!
DeleteI am certain there have been many David Camerons over the years, and they have all been very different. Yes, your timing may be a bit off, but your book will be around long after he is out of office, and this little glitch will be long forgotten. Both Davids seem to be nice men, but for a romance book, your David would be the preferred one.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear you write with a sense of humor. That is so important to me in a book. Life is serious enough. I think we would all do better, if we would lighten up a little.
I am off to order WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND. It sounds like a book I will enjoy. Best wishes for a successful release for SUMMER IS FOR LOVERS.
Hope you enjoy Jennifer's books, librarypat. I've read What Happens in Scotland twice. Grinned from beginning to end both times!
DeleteHope you like it! And thanks so much librarypat!
DeleteJennifer, thanks so much for hanging out with us today. Wishing you all the best with Summer is for Lovers! Hope you send that copy off to England!
ReplyDeleteI also usually don't picture real people when I read but if I could have a fantasy of my own, I'd definitely cast Chris Helmsworth :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJust saw him on Ellen this week. That would be one fine fantasy! :)
DeleteDefinitely favoring your David Cameron! Great post, love your sense of humor. Oh, the cover is awesome, awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for having me on PJ, I loved the comments! Makes me anxious to pop this sucker out! Do we have a random winner to send their prize package to?
ReplyDeleteI would definitely prefer your hero, David!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely prefer your David! Politicians are rarely my preferred hero. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that comparison of the two Davids! I'll go for Jennifer's. I'm curious to read Jennifer's books and see if she brings in her vet experiences (adjusted for the time frame of course).
ReplyDelete