An Interview with Cathy MacRae

Today I’m thrilled to have Cathy MacRae, one of the authors of Highland Escape with me in the Blue Rose Writing Room.

 

So, do you use a pen name/pseudo name? If so, why. If not, why did you decide to write under your own name?

Yes, I write under a pen name. When I began writing, I simply wished to keep my day job and family separate from my author’s work.

 

Can you tell us how long you have been writing?

I have been writing historical romance for 5 years.

 

What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?

I simply cannot tolerate talking while I write. Activity around me doesn’t usually bother me as long as whomever it is doesn’t mind my blank stares J As far as a must-have? A window view is great!

 

What is one place you absolutely want to visit before you die?

Oh, my, there are so many! I would love to travel a good bit in the coming years. On my list are the Pacific NW, New England, New Zealand, Italy, France and England. And I’d love another trip to Scotland.

 

Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?

I started my writing career convinced I wanted to write romantic suspense. After a couple of years of conferences and classes, and querying agents, a friend challenged me to write an historical romance. I did, and it won the Celtic division of the Golden Claddagh contest. That book opened the door to my Highlander’s Bride series. I occasionally think about those romantic suspense stories, and I may bring them out one day.

 

Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.

My writing partner in this book is a history fanatic, so writing Anna’s story involved a good bit of ‘what-ifs’ in order to bring about a heroine in 1306 Scotland who was trained in martial arts. The trail (short version) became—her father, Baron Braxton, went on Crusade, rescued a Mamluk prisoner who attached himself to the baron as a ‘life debt’, and taught Anna and her brother much about his life and skills.

 

How do you respond to negative reviews?

I’d love to say I don’t let them bother me, but of course they do. However, I have learned to glean what I can from them and move on—after a hearty round of chocolate or a glass of wine J

 

What’s one new thing you’d like to try?

A friend just tried indoor sky-diving. It sounds like a lot of fun.

 

Do you have a favorite quote? Today it is, Keep calm and ceilidh on!

 

Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself.

Well, anyone who follows my Wonderful Wednesday blog knows I have 3 dogs and a cat, and love to garden. Perhaps fewer people are aware I have a fondness for Moscato wine and Mexican food. Maybe not at the same time . . .

 

Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!

Favorite Disney Character? Cinderella

Favorite Fruit? Strawberries

Favorite Hero? Iron Man (Tony Stark)

Favorite Eye Color? Blue

Best Vacation Destination? The mountains

Food you can’t stand? Anything bland

What annoys you? Talking while I am writing

Coffee, tea, or something else? both

Nightgown or Jammies? jammies

Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs, but I really like my new cat

 

 

Amazon best-selling author Cathy MacRae enjoys weaving tales of romance in the Highland mists. Her stories feature strong heroes and feisty heroines in pursuit of their happy-ever-afters in medieval Scotland. 

When not writing, Cathy can be found curled up in a chair with a book or enjoying the outdoors with her corgis. A member of RWA and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, she is currently working on another Highland romance novel and planning her next trip to Scotland.

 

Highland Escape

 

Fleeing the English army that murdered her family before her eyes, Anna Braxton rescues two young women, kidnapped by a barbaric Highland clan, only to find herself unjustly imprisoned by the clan she aided. Disgusted by her treatment, she counters their belated offer of friendship with anger and distrust. But she does not count on the unexpected effect the laird’s son has on her heart.

Duncan MacGregor does not understand his da’s command to imprison the young woman who saved his sister’s life. He is more than intrigued with Anna’s skill with a bow and sword—in fact, he is fascinated by everything about her, in spite of her lack of feminine wiles. Straightforward and with a deep-seated sense of honor, Anna Braxton disrupts his entire notion of a suitable woman.

Trained as a warrior and unwilling to be any man’s chattel, Anna shuns the idea of marriage—until Duncan coaxes her into a world of acceptance and passion she never knew existed. He wants her as his wife. She will agree, but only on her own terms—conditions Duncan is not sure he can accept.

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

 

Duncan is determined to protect and provide for Anna as she tries to maintain her independence.

 

Duncan departed the stables and returned with a small sack. Handing her an apple and a small loaf of sweet bread filled with nuts, seeds and berries, he hung a water skin on Orion’s saddle. “Anything in particular ye would like to do today?”

“Yes. I would like to cut a quarter staff, and am interested in gaining skins to line my cloak. I am not accustomed to the cold and damp here. I can only imagine how it will be come winter.” An involuntary shiver rippled through her as she thought about snow and the wind, which never ceased to blow.

“We have a man who can fill such a need. He is the village fletcher and cooper. A quarter staff would prove no problem for him. With regard to skins, we could simply purchase them. If not in the village, then from one of our neighbors. Ye hardly have to hunt them down yerself.”

“Duncan MacGregor, you confuse me yet again with a delicate noblewoman in need of charity. I am fully capable of cutting my own staff and skinning my own

hides. I need only a satisfactory branch or billet and access to tools. With regard to the cloak, I know not what fur-bearing creatures live in your lands, so I will bow to your superior knowledge of where and what I should seek.”

Duncan laughed at her reply, and Anna thought it was as pleasing a sound as she’d ever heard. His deep baritone resonated like a distant peal of thunder. His face lit with humor and though his laughter subsided, mirth lingered in his eyes. The sound and sight brought an answering smile she couldn’t hold back. He should laugh more often. His stern look does not suit him. I wonder what causes such a dour guise.

 “Aye, it appears I have made the same mistake again. I am usually a fast learner. I should think we can easily find a billet. Such tools are here in the stables. As far as what animals should have the good fortune to grace yer cloak, I would suggest waiting until Martinmas when their fur is fullest. Summer coats willnae do as good a job ye wish. As for what we would target, I suggest mink, fox or beaver. I dare say ye will find any of those satisfactory.”

The thought occurred she would need thicker clothes to stay warm in the meantime. “Very well. I accept your advice. I will have to cope with the cold until then.”

“‘Twill not be necessary. We can have a set of woolens made for ye. ‘Tis a herder in the Graham clan who owns a special breed of sheep. The wool from this breed is very fine and soft indeed. ‘Twould be no trouble to obtain enough to have two sets of woolens made if ye wish.”

They both mounted and rode toward the village.

“Sounds like a fair solution. I will be happy to pay, of course.”

Duncan tilted his head. “My da willnae allow ye to pay for anything. We owe ye Nessa’s life. He was quite serious about accepting ye as his daughter. He would no more let ye pay for such a necessity than he would Nessa. Ye are under our care.”

Anna’s brow furrowed deeply. “Then I will have to engage in some activity to earn my keep. I have no desire to rely upon the laird’s generosity, only to have him resent it in the future. Particularly when the memory of his gratitude toward me fades. If I am to consider living here, I must have a role to fill. I will not simply be under anyone’s care. Nessa’s value as a daughter and future wife to a neighboring clan is obvious. My worth is less so. I refuse to be a burden and will not be married off to form an alliance.” Her words rang with determination. She meant every one of them.

 

Here’s how you can contact Cathy:

 

www.cathymacraeauthor.com

Amazon author page

Facebook

Twitter

 

 

Thanks again, Cathy, for joining me  today!

 

Thank you so much for inviting me here today, Collette!

 

Buy links:

www.amzn.com/B00X60XB2U