I'm delighted to welcome Madeline Martin back to The Romance Dish today. Her newly released book, Highland Spy, checks all the boxes on my Medieval era, historical romance reading list. I read it in one day and am already eagerly anticipating book number two! Madeline is a USA Today Bestselling Author who lives in Jacksonville, FL (shout out to my former home city! with her two daughters and menagerie of pets. Her hobbies include rock climbing, running to Mud Runs, and just about anything exciting she can do without getting nauseated. She grew up in Europe and still enjoys traveling overseas whenever she can find time to get away. Her favorite place to visit thus far: Scotland. Prior to Highland Spy, she authored three Scottish Historical novels: Deception of a Highlander, Possession of a Highlander, and Enchantment of a Highlander. Visit her website at www.madelinemartin.com and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter.
Welcome, Madeline!
Congratulations on your new book! I’m a huge fan of Medieval romance stories,
especially when set in Scotland which, of course, has me very excited about this
new series. What would you like readers to know about your Mercenary Maidens
and their journeys to love?
Thank you so much for having me here today, PJ! J And thank you for being so excited
about my upcoming series. I think the most important thing I want people to get
out of the Mercenary Maidens series is that these are ordinary women who face
extraordinary circumstances and get a second chance at life. Through the
education of their skills, they find something many of them were lacking before
going to Kindrochit Castle for training – their confidence. They’re empowered
not only by what they’ve learned externally, but what they’ve discovered
internally. I feel like that’s so indicative of us as women. Hard times can
bring difficult lessons, and we typically emerge tougher and with a stronger
knowledge of who we are – and we’re better for it. These girls are all the
same.
What was
your inspiration for these female warriors?
My initial inspiration was Mariel Brandon - the heroine from
my debut release, Deception of a Highlander. I enjoyed writing her character as
a spy so much, I was craving to write another series about a group of women who
were all spies. After that, I did some research on female spies in history and
came up with some pretty incredible women to inspire me. There have been so
many women through history who have sacrificed so much – their families, their
freedom, even their lives – for their countries and/or what they believe in. It
was easy to write strong women with such shining examples.
Highland Spy (Jan. 10) kicks off the series. What
should readers expect from Ariana and Connor’s story?
A lot of
action, adventure, and a love that builds as two lost souls come to fully
appreciate and really understand one another. Also, some really kickass women.
;)
You visited
Scotland last year. (I loved following along via your videos!) What was your
favorite part of the trip? Will we see any of the places you visited in your
upcoming books?
Thank you so much! The trip was just amazing. I got so many
wonderful ideas, not just for
the Mercenary Maidens series, but also for the
idea brewing in my mind for my next series, the Jacobite Jezebels (yeah, I have
a thing for alliterations).
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Findlater Castle |
My favorite part of the trip was going to Findlater Castle –
it’s a ruined castle set on the coastline. We were cautioned to not bother
wasting our time because it was ‘just a pile of rocks’. Well, that pile of
rocks ended up being the coolest thing ever.
From far away, it was nothing to look at, true – but after
following a narrow path down one very steep hill and climbing up the cliff, I
found the pile of rocks were the still-intact walls of the castle. And further
inspection found gaping holes in the back of the castle so I could climb down
inside it. Seriously – it was my Indiana Jones moment. The ten year old in me
was in the middle of Goonies crawling around down in those buried rooms, going
down to the floors buried beneath the rubble and peering into rooms long since
abandoned. It was the most amazing experience ever and made me so glad we’d
gone to see that pile of rocks. ;)
One of the places we visited was Urquhart Castle, which you
will definitely see in Highland Spy. It’s Connor’s family home, and one he hopes
to recover.
I enjoyed
watching Ariana discover her inner warrior. What new skill(s) would you choose
to be inside you, awaiting discovery?
Oh, that’s a great question. I think I’d love to learn how to
shoot a bow. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but is something I’ve
never had the opportunity to try.
Your Highland Spy is on my 2017 Most
Anticipated Books list. What books are you looking forward to reading this
year?
Thank you so much – I’m honored to have made that list! J I confess due to my lack of free
time, I listen to all my books. So the books I’m most looking forward to
listening to in 2017 are: The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer, Right Behind You by
Lisa Gardner, Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, The Map of Bones by Francesca
Haig.
I don’t make
resolutions but I do set goals at the beginning of each year. What are your
goals for 2017?
I actually do something similar – goals are so much more
quantitative and easily broken down than a blanket statement to alter something
about ourselves. I have a spreadsheet of goals, but I’ll just highlight the
main ones. First of all, I want to get control of my health again in 2017.
After a very busy 2016, I found myself giving me permission to skip gym
workouts and not eat as healthy as I was used to. I didn’t like the results. My
goal for 2017 is to stay on top of my health with eating healthy and sticking
with a stricter gym regimen I’ve implemented most of my adult life.
Regarding my books, I’ll be in three anthologies in 2017, so
I’ll be writing and releasing those all in 2017. Additionally, I’m hoping to
write the first two Jacobite Jezebels stories, and hopefully release at least
two of my Mercenary Maidens books.
Any big
trips planned for this year?
Yes! I’m so excited! I’m going to be one of the guest authors
at the Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, WA. I’ve already started shopping
for historical gowns for it! Registration opens on January 10th for
people who want to attend – more info can be found here: http://www.historicalromanceretreat.com
I’m also planning to attend the RWA National conference as
well as RT in Atlanta. Also, the minions and I want to go to Asheville, NC to
check out the Biltmore – we recently read Serafina and the Black Cloak and
can’t wait to check out the estate!
What’s next
for your Mercenary Maidens? Do you have a scheduled release date for Book #2?
There will be three books in total for the Mercenary Maidens
(Highland Spy, Highland Ruse, Highland Wrath). I’m not sure on the release date
for the second book yet. I actually just finished the third book – it’s with my
beta readers and will soon be delivered into my publisher’s hands once I finish
beta reader edits/suggestions.
It’s been a
pleasure visiting with you, Madeline. Would you like to ask our readers a
question?
Thank you so
much for having me, PJ – it’s always a pleasure to be here. J
I’d love to hear from your readers about what they think their most empowering strength is. J
Readers, Madeline's publisher is giving away one print copy of Highland Spy to a randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's post before 11:00 PM, January 13th.
I’d love to hear from your readers about what they think their most empowering strength is. J
Readers, Madeline's publisher is giving away one print copy of Highland Spy to a randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's post before 11:00 PM, January 13th.
Connor Grant is in search of a lady. Not a bride, but a woman to become a skillful and seductive spy in the service of King James. In addition to being the King's personal assassin, Connor heads a group of female spies who aid him in his work, women with nothing left to lose.
Ariana Fitzroy is the perfect mark. Destitute, orphaned, and completely alone, she's missed her chance at an advantageous match at court and cheats at cards to survive. When Connor catches her in the act, he threatens to expose her, unless she joins his elite roster of spies.
She agrees and is whisked away to a deserted Scottish castle to begin her training. Ariana quickly takes to her lessons in seduction, deception, and hand-to-hand combat, but less easy to fight are her feelings of lust toward the ruggedly handsome Connor, feelings she suspects may be reciprocated.
When Connor recruits her help on a mysterious task, the pair must work together to track a dangerous target. But Ariana suspects Connor isn't telling her everything — not just about the mission, but also about his past. Will the secrets between them threaten their mission? And will they be able to fight their attraction as they wonder who they can trust?
The first romances I read were medieval stories set in the Highlands. Scotland became my favorite setting for stories no matter what the time period. This one sounds like it will be a good and enjoyable one. I look forward to reading all the books in the Mercenary Maidens series as well as the upcoming Jacobite Jezebels series.
ReplyDeleteMy strengths would be empathy and an analytical way of looking at things.
Empathy is a valuable asset, one I fear too many people are missing these days.
DeleteI absolutely love Scottish settings too. :) Thank you so much for your interest in my books - I hope you enjoy them!! :)
DeleteAnd I think empathy is an incredible empowering strength -one that is oftentimes underrated. And being analytical is always so beneficial! :)
Thank you for stopping by The Romance Dish! :)
A great post thank you. This sounds amazing and such a stunning cover.
ReplyDeleteI can be objective and see more than one side. I may not always agree, but I can see it.
Again, a quality that seems to be disappearing from the human landscape...at least here in the U.S. :(
DeleteThank you so much, Mary! :) And I think being objective is an incredibly wonderful trait to have and allows one to be more open minded and considerate of other people's lives/ideals.
DeleteOh, this sounds like something I would really enjoy! I have to agree with the other readers, I'm a good listener and seem to help those that ask for my opinion. I'm very open minded and empathetic. Maybe that goes hand in hand with people who read a lot?
ReplyDeleteIt goes hand in hand with people I like to be around. We have a wonderful group of readers here at TRD!
DeleteThank you so much!!! :) And I love your handle by the way #CatLover4Life :)
DeleteActually, I think you're really onto something with that. Reading lets us into the minds of the characters we read, we relate to them on a certain level and that note of understanding allows us to appreciate the situation they are in even if it's one we've never been in before. Thanks for bringing up that awesome point - I'd never really thought about it before :)
I can't wait to read Highland Spy. Someday I will get to Scotland. I'd say it's empathy and endurance.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
It's on my 'must do' list too, Carol. One of these days...
DeleteThank you so much, Carol :) And you will DEFINITELY get to Scotland one of these days - you too, PJ! :)
DeleteThis novel would be captivating. Determination and grit is a strength which is important.
ReplyDeleteThere's plenty of determination and grit in Highland Spy!
DeleteThank you so much! I LOVE determination and grit! :D
DeleteThank you, PJ <3
Highland Spy sounds unforgettable and very special. Courage in adversity.
ReplyDeleteCourage in adversity is a very special quality and one that is not always easy to come by.
DeleteThank you so much!! :) Courage in adversity is one of the bravest traits I think there is - you should be very proud of that :)
DeleteI loved visiting Scotland, and I am always attracted to books set there. This new series is now on my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteMy empowering strengths are empathy, optimism, and my faith in God.
I enjoyed your photos of your Scotland trip, Cheryl. I'll get there one of these days!
DeleteThanks, PJ. I hope you do make it to Scotland one day because you would love it. Maybe a trip with granddaughters?
DeleteThank you so much, Cheryl! I'm so glad you had the opportunity to go to Scotland as well :) It really is just so lovely and magical! :)
DeleteI haven't read about this era in awhile. I'm empathetic, but I also try to treat people with courtesy.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a fun era to write in :) I think empathetic people and those who treat people with respect are so important in a world where so many can be so selfish. Keep up those wonderful traits! :)
DeleteI'm a good listener and loyal.
ReplyDeleteI bet you're an incredible friend to have <3 :)
DeleteCongratulations Madeline on yet another release I would say perseverance because without that I won't be where I am today
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Natasha! :) I think perseverance is such an important trait - and it'll open more doors for you than life can ever close. I love that!
DeleteYou are totally new to me but you write in my favorite romance, Highlanders, AND we will be meeting in September at the HRR! This book sounds fabulous and I'll have to get it picked up so I can be up to date in Spokane ;-) You'll be able to autograph my copy then.
ReplyDeleteEeeeeee!!! I'm SO excited you'll be there too!!! I can't wait to meet you!! :D And I'll definitely autograph your copy of Highland Spy then :)
DeleteMedieval romance is something that I particularly enjoy reading. Madeleine's book sounds really good, and I love the cover. I'm a good listener and a peacemaker. I always try to see the good in people, too. Thank you for introducing a new Author to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Diane! :) And I think if there were more good listeners and peacemakers in the world, it would be a much safer place!
DeleteI love Medieval romance! Especially when I learn about bits of real history.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say my analytical & organizing ability has helped me in both my career in computer programming and in my personal life (really helped when I put an addition & new kitchen on my house - so many details & decisions to make).
I've always been a huge history fan and have devoured historical romance for years because of exactly that - learning about history while enjoying a good book. As an author now, I enjoy the research and try very hard to be accurate in what I write, so hopefully you learn some fun new info when reading my books. :)
DeleteAnd I can definitely see how being organized and analytical helps in your career as a programmer! :) And congratulations on the new addition and kitchen! :D
Who wouldn't want to visit a pile of rocks aka a castle? I can only imagine how perfect your visit to that place was <3
ReplyDeleteI'm loyal to the bone but not to a blindind point. I suppose that can be considered a strength.
Hey, Ms. Awesome - I call my boyfriend on FB And Twitter Mr. Awesome! LOL I might be stealing your name when we get married ;) LOL
DeleteAnd heck yeah at visiting that pile of rocks! Honestly, my boyfriend and I had more fun visiting the more ruined castles than the ones that were complete and decorated to look like someone was living there. It was neat getting to use our imaginations to figure out what went where.
And I definitely think that is a wonderful strength. It's hard to be loyal sometimes - harder still to recognize when you shouldn't be. Thank you for coming by!
advocacy: I've used my voice and talents for nonprofits
ReplyDeletedenise
That is so wonderful of you to do, and I know it is so very appreciated by others. :)
DeleteI'm empathetic, open minded, and - usually - able to see and understand multiple sides of an issue. It helps me at work especially managing my team.
ReplyDeleteThose traits make for the best managers. :) You have a very lucky team!
Delete