Today I’m thrilled to have Marie Higgins, author of The Sweetest Kiss, with me in The Blue Rose Writing Room.
Welcome Marie. Can you tell us how long you have been writing?
I have been writing for 18 years. For the first five years, writing was just a hobby to me. I had a bunch of notebooks and lots of pencils, curled up on the couch after dinner when my daughters would go play, and wrote to my heart’s content. It wasn’t until I started letting my neighbors read my stories—and they loved them—when I realized that I’d better start thinking about making this hobby a career, instead. I was first published in 2005, but under a different pen name. That didn’t go over very well, and in 2009 I decided to change my style of writing and write Christian & sweet romances. That’s when my career took off!
What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you about your writing?
Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of good things about my writing. The two words that most readers use to describe my books are “amazing” and “addicting”. I love hearing these words and I’ll never get tired of it.
To answer the question about the funniest thing…well, as a writer, we know we can’t please everyone—Christian writers, especially. It’s funny to me when I get a review that is rated low and the reviewer says things like “too preachy”. Then I’ll get a review for the same book that will be a 5-star review and they like the story because it’s not “too preachy”. To me, that’s funny and shows that authors can’t please everyone!
I’m grinning. Isn’t that the truth? I always include inspirational elements in my stories and have several ideas for inspirationals. Too bad we’re not close enough we could meet over coffee! Tell us, what’s one place you absolutely want to visit before you die?
ENGLAND!! Most of my books are Regencies and Victorians and are located in England. I would love to visit this country, mainly to see if I got the locations and descriptions right in my stories. lol But more than that, I want to take a tour of the grand estates. Ahhh…that would be the perfect vacation!
I’ve been to England, twice. Magical! I’d like to tour the castles. 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?
Well, I’ve actually written in other genres beside Regency. I have a 3-book series that are written in the Colonial era. I have a 5-book series written in the Victorian era. I’ve written three books in the American old west era…and several others that are contemporary (present day). I’ve written paranormal, Sci-Fi, and suspense / mystery. The only genre I haven’t written is Young Adult…but I plan on starting it next year.
Wow, you are ambitious! Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?
I have the hardest time reading anything that isn’t romance. lol I’m sorry, but I must have a happy ending…and I must fall in love. If those two elements are not in the story, I’m not going to read.
No need to be sorry. What historical figure do you wish you could have
met?
Is Mr. Darcy considered a historical figure? hahahaha If not, can we make him one—and make him look like Colin Firth….please?? But if I have to pick a real historical figure, I would love to spend the day with Benjamin Franklin. What a brilliant man he was as so full of ideas. Yeah, that would be fun!
You are so naughty…Colin Firth! What are you most afraid of?
Going blind, or having arthritis so bad when I’m older that I can’t write. L That is a very frightening thought!!
Either would be hard to deal with. Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself?
What isn’t unusual, quirky or odd about me? If you really knew me, you’d know I’m all three of these things. I have a zany personality on most days, and I love to make people laugh!
Yeah, you have me grinning all the time! That’s okay, because I have a quirky sense of humor too.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Rapunzel / Eugene, “Tangled”.
Favorite Fruit? Cantaloupe
Favorite Hero? Too many!
Favorite Eye Color? Blue
Best Vacation Destination? England – even though I haven’t been. lol
Food you can’t stand? Anything spicy!
What annoys you? Lately – my day job
Coffee, tea, or something else? Coke
Nightgown or Jammies? Nightgown
Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs
Here’s A bit about Marie
Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of sweet romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com
Here’s a snippet about The Sweetest Kiss
After three years of only remembering pieces of his life, Tristan Worthington is kidnapped by the one woman he wishes to forget. Wanting revenge against the man who ruined her life, Diana Hollingsworth wants Tristan to suffer as she has.
When both Tristan and Diana are accused of murder, their worlds crash down around them. Their only hope is to find the true killer so they can be together. Will they be able to find true happiness once again?
Enjoy an excerpt from The Sweetest Kiss.
While reading this excerpt, keep in mind that the hero thinks the heroine is blowing him kisses…which is actually explained in the scene right after this one. J
Beside Diana, her mother, Baroness Baldwin, sighed and patted Diana’s arm as they strolled along the pebbled path. “Oh, my sweet daughter. It is my wish that some day you will be as grand as the dowager.”
She looked at her mother. The older woman’s expression was marred with lines of worry. “Mother, I have been out for three Seasons. I highly doubt I’ll catch the eye of a duke. I would just like to catch some man’s eye before I become a spinster.”
“I know, dear.” Her mother patted Diana’s arm. “I do think this is the year you will get an offer. You father has been very selective in the past, but now he’s finally decided that we need to get you married this year.”
“I fear Father has waited too long. I don’t think any man will want me now, especially not a duke.”
“A Mother can dream, can’t she?”
Chuckling, Diana shook her head. She wasn’t really discouraging her mother’s dream, she just knew the older woman’s expectations were set too high. “I shall be satisfied married to a baron, but what would please me more is being married for love.”
“Oh, my dearest daughter.” Her mother stopped and faced Diana. “Most of us grow to love our husbands after we’ve been married a few years.”
This was one of those rules Diana didn’t understand. Why was it acceptable to marry a complete stranger? Most of society lived this way, but one of her childhood friends had parents who were truly in love. Inwardly, Diana sighed. That was the kind of marriage she wanted.
She and her mother resumed their stroll through the dowager’s flower gardens, but Diana’s mind wasn’t on the lovely roses. Instead, she silently questioned why her father had been so picky. Every year since she’d come out, she had a few men ask her father for her hand in marriage. Her father always found some reason to turn them down. She prayed her mother was correct and that this year would finally be the year she married.
“Oh, look. There is Lady Hastings,” her mother, Esther, exclaimed. “My dear, do you mind if I go speak with her?”
Diana glanced toward Lady Hastings and her ill-mannered daughter, Lady Jane. Diana had never liked the girl who was out for her first season. As an earl’s daughter, that girl had always worn her father’s title as her own.
“That’s fine, Mother. I want to rest a spell under the shade of this tree.” She fanned her face. “I fear the sun is terribly hot today.”
“I shan’t be gone long.” Esther hurried to the other women.
Diana perched on the bench under the wide tree and peered out across the yard. The dowager’s weekend party guests were still arriving. Several men had walked passed her who didn’t look familiar, and she hoped for introductions soon.
Two of the dowager’s sons walked by—Lord Trevor and Lord Trey—she presented them with her best smile. Only Lord Trey returned the gesture. Then again, Trey didn’t have a good reputation, and Diana would do well to stay away from him for fear of being ruined.
Walking up the lane from the road, three men caught her eye. She recognized two of them she’d met several times before, Lord Henry and Lord Elliot. They were with someone who looked oddly familiar, but she knew she’d never been introduced to him before. The tall man was quite handsome if she dared admit, and extremely muscular. His over-jacket stretched tightly across his shoulders, and his breeches appeared entirely too form-fitting and showed off his exceptional build.
Her cheeks heated. Good heavens! Why would she think such a thing? Yet it was hard not to, especially the closer the threesome came toward her and the more she could see of the stranger.
She straightened and folded her hands in her lap, adopting as proper of an appearance as possible. A bee buzzed by her face, but she dared not swat at it…although she couldn’t allow it to sting her, either. The last time that happened, her face had swollen and she’d become sick. Trying not to be obvious, she blew at the bee, hoping it would take the hint and leave.
The closer the three men strolled, the more the bothersome insect irritated her. Still, she continued to blow at it, hoping it wouldn’t sting her. The handsome stranger finally looked her way and grinned. Diana’s heart flipped in a silly rhythm. She smiled back and inclined her head.
The small group walked right by her without saying anything, although the stranger watched her over his shoulder as he passed. Once they were out of her vision, she swatted the bee, and the insect finally left her alone.
Closing her eyes, she couldn’t get the handsome man out of her mind. One way or another she needed to get an introduction.
“The Sweetest Love” is available on Kindle for now. http://amzn.com/B00DSADZEC Soon the book will be sold in paperback and other venues.
Here’s how you can contact Marie .
Marie is on Facebook – www.facebook.com/marie.higgins.7543
And Twitter – MarieHigginsxox
Thank you Collette for having me on your blog!
It was my pleasure, Marie!
