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The lovely Catherine Tinley, author of Historical romance novels, joins us on our blog to discuss her writing journey, advice and new book!
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You write for the Mills and Boon Historical series, which sweeps readers away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuries.What’s your favourite thing about writing Historical romances?
I love how we can explore universal issues – love and loss, heartbreak and hope – against a backdrop of ballgowns and courtly manners. Reading (or writing) historical romances really feels like entering another world.
You’ve had a wonderful writing career so far, garnering many loyal fans (as well as prizes!) How would you describe this journey?
What a whirlwind! From getting The Call from Mills and Boon for my first book, Waltzing with the Earl, to winning a Rita® Award and two RoNA awards for Best Historical Romance, it’s been quite the ride. The notion that I have fans is astounding, to be honest. Hearing from readers who enjoy my books (including those who leave reviews) is one of the nicest things about being an author.
If you could give an aspiring author one piece of advice, what would it be?
Can I give two pieces? 1) Keep writing, and 2) seek out others who are on the same journey. We’re not competitors, we’re mentors, advisors, cheerleaders, friends. The Write for Harlequin facebook group is wonderful, and I do try to support aspiring authors in my own facebook group, Tinley’s Tattlers.
What are your favourite romance tropes?
I love a well-told Cinderella story, and interestingly, all three of my books that won major awards contain Cinderella vibes. Waltzing with the Earl features a horrible aunt with her own two daughters to fire off, and my poor heroine Charlotte actually gets banished to an attic bedroom, while Mary in A Waltz with the Outspoken Governess shouldn’t even be dreaming of her boss, Sir Nicholas, much less kissing him! But Rags-to-Riches Wife is where I explored most fully what might happen to Cinderella after she is elevated from servant to lady. Jane meets with snobbery and disdain when she is invited to visit wealthy relatives who know she is a serving-maid, but thankfully her hero sees beyond her lye-chapped hands.
Your new book, A Laird in London is out this month, can you tell us a little bit about it?
It’s the follow-up to A Laird for the Governess, although each can be read as a stand-alone story. In this book, Angus, Laird of Broch Clachan in the Outer Hebrides, along with his sister Eilidh, travel to London to try to persuade Lord Burtenshaw to sell back some lands to the islanders. Unfortunately Lord Burtenshaw turns out to be pompous and small-minded. Lord Burtenshaw’s sister Isabella, though, is friendly, quick-witted, and generous. Unfortunately she must marry by the end of the Season, and Angus is not on the hunt for a wife. And even if he were, how could he possibly ask a gently-bred London lady to leave England for the wilds of the Hebrides? Dilemmas for both of them, and they really go through the wringer to earn their happy-ever-after!
Describe your favourite scene from the book…
I had great fun writing the meet-cute, which involves a herd of cattle stampeding through a London park, and our hero getting to save the heroine’s life. He’s exactly the right man for the moment, and the right man for Isabella.
What’s your favourite thing about historical research?
I love discovering details of ordinary life – what people ate, and wore, and how much things cost. As a former speech & language therapist, I’m also interested in how language has shifted in 200 years, and trying to work out how they used words differently. My reference library is growing, and there are some great online sources I use as well.
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m half-way through Adventure with a Secret Prince by Andrea Bolter, and I’m really enjoying it. Luxury cruises and yachts, a prince having a final burst of freedom before settling down to an arranged marriage, and a working-class girl who is making him feel all the feels. Love it!
Last question, chocolate or flowers?
What a horrible question! Both, always both.
If you make me choose, I’ll say ‘it depends’. While I am holding my hands up to being a hopeless chocaholic, I could probably survive a world without chocolate better than a world without flowers.
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A Laird In London by Catherine Tinley
There’s a new Laird in town
Will he leave with a wife?
Angus MacDonald has just arrived in London to reclaim his land when he rescues Lady Isabella Wood from a cattle stampede! Their instant attraction is undeniable, but Isabella must wed this Season and Angus isn’t looking for a bride. His wild Hebridean home is a world away from London Society, so Isabella is completely out-of-bounds. Even if their connection is unlike anything he’s felt before.