Today's Special - - Karen Hawkins

I'm tickled pink to welcome USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author, Karen Hawkins to the Romance Dish today. I've been a fan of her books for years and of the woman herself since first meeting her at a Celebrate Romance conference in 2008. She's smart, savvy, incredibly funny, and, after hearing her hilarious family stories, I'm still convinced our family trees must have crossed at some point in the distant past. Karen's third Oxenburg Princes book, MAD FOR THE PLAID was released yesterday. It's a fun, fast-paced, adventurous road romance that I gobbled up like a box of good chocolates. Another winner from this talented author! 

Find more information about Karen at her website and connect with her online:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenHawkins

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheKarenHawkins

INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/karenhawkinsauthor

PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/thekarenhawkins/

Welcome, Karen! I’ve had so much fun meeting your Oxenburg Princes and the women who lay siege to their hearts. Please tell our readers what they should expect from this third book in the series, Mad for the Plaid.

I’m delighted to be at The Romance Dish, which is my

FAVORITE romance site. I’m always lurking on here, finding delightful new reads. My next book, MAD FOR THE PLAID (out TODAY) is about the final Prince of Oxenburg, Nikolai Romanovin. Nik has spent his life neck deep in court intrigues and betrayals and it’s hardened him. When his grandmother is abducted from a friend’s castle in Scotland, Nik rides to the rescue. What he doesn’t count on is the spirited fight from the lady of said castle, Lady Ailsa MacKenzie, a head-strong lady of quality determined to lead the rescue, prince or no.

I had a LOT of fun writing this book because of the stubbornness of both characters, because they remind me of my own family.

Seriously, you should hear us talk politics – It’s NOT PRETTY. That said, it’s always passionate and loving, which is why this book really ‘sang’ for me.

That passion, stubbornness, and love comes through loud and clear. This book 'sang' for me too!

Many of your historical romances are set in Scotland. What is it about this country that calls to you?

Beyond the breathtakingly romantic scenery, the abundance of truly inspiring castles, the sexy accents, and the idea that just around the next corner could be a hot man in a kilt? The kindness of the people. I’ve been four times now, and every time, I’m just swept away by the warmth and generosity of the Scottish people. I could live there. Who knows, maybe one day I will.

It's the land of many of my ancestors and on my bucket list. One of these days. Until then, I'll enjoy visiting the 'mother land' through your books. 

I adore the princes’ meddling grandmother. What was your inspiration for this character?

My great grandmother was the inspiration for the Grand Duchess. My Grandma Lura was an inveterate matchmaker, a determined relationship advisor, and a professional meddler. She had an opinion about everything, and was never shy about telling us we’d ‘be sorry’ if we didn’t take her advice. And yes, that always seemed vaguely threatening, as if she would indeed turn us into goats if she had the know-how.

My Grandma Lura used to live on a huge farm in West Virginia near the Pennsylvania border. Back in the day, before private phone lines were used, everyone was on a party line. That meant that 20-30 families had the same phone line. Common courtesy dictated that if you picked up the phone and someone was talking on it, you’d hang it back up and not listen. Well, my grandmother was not the ‘hang it back up’ sort of person and she used to listen in. Her neighbors would complain, and she’d deny it, but my cousin said they all knew she was lying because she was the only person in town with a cuckoo clock. When someone pointed this out to her, she claimed she’d been set up by people she’d ‘rather not name’ who were jealous she’d won the local Baptist Bake Off eight years in a row.

Oh, I would have enjoyed meeting your Grandma Lura. My paternal grandmother was cut from the same cloth. And I hear you on the party line. We had multiple families on on our phone line when we were kids and there was a 'listener' on ours too. I think it was a requirement of each line. ;-) 

A few years ago, you wrote two wonderfully humorous contemporary romances. Do you have plans to set any future books in the present century?

Thank you! I LOVE those two books and I’d like to bring Glory NC back to life. In fact, as soon as I finish my current WIP, I’m scheduled to write a contemporary. J

That's awesome news! 

I’m counting down the days until the kickoff (pun intended) of

my favorite season: Autumn. Or as it’s known in my house: FOOTBALL! What’s your favorite season? What sets it apart from the others?

I’m with you, PJ. Autumn is my favorite, too, because, yes, FOOTBALL! I love the Green Bay Packers and I yell myself hoarse during the games. It’s both an agony and one of my most favorite things in the world. True sports fans know how that painfully delicious dichotomy works.

I love your sense of humor and how you infuse it into your books. Whose books make you laugh?

Thank you! Humor is super important to me. I feel like real life is sad and stressful enough, and a laugh is so helpful in staying sane and balanced. Originally, I was a HUGE Jill Barnett fan – still am, in fact. I also love Rachel Gibson’s humor, as well as that of Connie Brockway, Suzanne Enoch, Sabrina Jeffries, and Julia Quinn. They ALL make me laugh, and I love them for it.

Will you be attending any conferences or book signings this year where readers can meet you?

I’m going to attend the Historical Romance Retreat (http://www.historicalromanceretreat.com/) this September 22nd-25^th at the historic Davenport Hotel In Spokane, WA, and then the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Atlanta, May 2nd-7th (http://www.sierracartwright.com/event/rt-booklovers-convention-2017/).

I'll be at the Historical Romance Retreat too! 

What are you working on now?

A contemporary is next on the list – more about that in my September newsletter, (sign up for Karen's newsletter here) but I’m just turning in a Scottish Regency-set historical for a new series about three brothers who must marry a lady of quality or lose their inheritance. It’s called MADE TO MARRY, and the first book is scheduled for 2017.

I'm very glad to hear you're dipping your writing toes back into contemporary but, have to say, I really love the sound of that Scottish Regency series! 

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

Yes! It’s hot now and I find that I read shorter books in the summer, and longer books in the winter – perhaps because of the cold or the earlier evening time. Do you find that you read different types of books summer vs. winter, too, or is it just me?

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a $20 gift card from Karen to their choice of amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com. Thank you, Karen!   

MAD FOR THE PLAID
By Karen Hawkins
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: August 30, 2016

Nikolai Romanovin, a royal prince of Oxenburg, has travelled to the deepest wilds of Scotland to rescue his grandmother the Grand Duchess, who was abducted while visiting an old friend in the Highlands. Wanting to avoid an international incident, Nik plans to quietly slip into enemy territory disguised as a groom at Castle Cromartie. But his plans go awry when he falls under the cool gray gaze of the laird’s daughter.

Pragmatic and clever, Ailsa Mackenzie has been left in charge of the family estate and her unruly grandmother in her father’s absence. Something about the new groom catches her eyes, and makes her think he’s not who he pretends to be—and even more shockingly, stirs her senses. Is it his obviously educated manners? His arrogant, non-servant-like presence? It’s certainly not his towering, powerful form, or slumberous, inviting green eyes!

After confronting the imposter and learning the truth, Ailsa agrees to help Nik—for she, too, understands difficult relatives and would do anything for family. Soon their secret partnership leads to growing respect, searing kisses, and then something far more perilous. And when their quest turns dangerous, Ailsa and Nik must discover this unknown enemy while facing the dangerous demands of their own unruly hearts.