Jennifer, thank you so much for taking time for the interview. Tell us a little about yourself. When did you begin to write?
You might say I’ve been telling stories in one form or another
for a very long time. Before becoming a writer, I was an actress and theater
producer. I was co-artistic director for a professional women’s theater company,
Renaissance Theaterworks. It is now one of the longest running and most
respected theater companies of its type. We produce theater for everyone, but
focus on opportunities for women in the theater. Check out the video. I adore romantic stories and was always looking for romantic
plays to produce. When I retired as co-artistic director, I decided I’d like to
tell my own romantic stories and turned to novel writing in 2013.
My first series is called Highlanders of Balforss. It’s set in
Caithness, the northern most county of mainland Scotland. I got interested in
the last great clan battle between the Campbells and Sinclairs in 1680, the Battle
of Altimarlach. I went to Caithness, slogged through
mud, gorse, and a cow pasture to reach the memorial site (the cows were not
impressed). That novel, The Sinclair Bastard, is still in a drawer, but the
research I put into the location, the history, and Clan Sinclair was the foundation
for the Balforss stories revolving around four Sinclair cousins—Alex, Declan,
Magnus, and Ian—all tall, muscular, ex-soldiers of His Majesty’s Royal Highland
Regiment 42nd Foot. The stories are set during the early 1800’s and
appeal to Highland and Regency romance readers. Although the books focus on the
romance, readers appreciate their liberal dose of humor.
One of my all-time favorite fantasy movies is The
Highlander. Remember that 1986 movie with
Christopher Lambert? In hindsight, it’s a perfectly ridiculous movie, but at
the time, I loved it. I have no doubt I was greatly influenced by Diana
Gabaldon’s Outlander series, as well. But I’ve always harbored a belief that there
is something elemental and stirring about the Highlands of Scotland. The whole
idea of clan appeals to me. Add to that a hot guy with a Scottish burr wearing
a kilt…
I loved writing Declan
Sinclair. He is a combination of sweet and
lethal. An absolute innocent when it comes to women and an unholy terror on the
battle field. Declan believes in the old ways and, though he’s not a heathen,
he holds great stock in Scots and Viking mythology. He’s clever and stealthy,
and he has “the sight.” Declan has dreams about the future, and though he
sometimes has difficulty interpreting his dreams, they always come true. So,
when he dreams about his future wife Caya, a woman he’s never met, he’s not at
all surprised to discover her in a tavern in Wick. His main problem is to get
her to believe what he already knows is true: they are meant for each other.
So impossible to pick one, but I think Loretta Chase comes close
to writing the perfect romance novel with Lord
of Scoundrels. It is seriously wonderful and I
dare anyone to read it and not love it.
My husband is my
chief beta reader. He’s particularly good at helping with details. Like, “No,
Jennifer, that’s not at all how a fist fight would go.” As if he’s been in a
million fist fights! I don’t think he’s intimidated. I would say he’s amused
and not at all surprised by my imagination.
I’m preparing for the release of my third book, Forgetting
the Scot, Magnus’s story. It comes out next
week. I’m also finishing up the fourth book of the series, Saving the Scot,
Ian’s story. At the same time, I’m pulling together ideas for my next series
and planning a trip to Scotland. This time I think we’ll visit the Inner
Hebrides. I’ve always wanted to go to the Isle of Skye. Who wouldn’t want to go
to an island with something called The Fairy Pools?
You can usually find me at my computer or, if it’s nice, on my
back porch. I like to hang out at Fiddleheads Coffeehouse, too!
I used to hang out on my back porch until the swarm of mosquitos came and attacked. Sigh. Jennifer, thank you so much for the interview! Please check out the links below to discover more about Jennifer and her books. See you next month!
Website:
JenniferTrethewey.com
Blog:
Are
You Scot Curious?
Author
Facebook Page: Jennifer Trethewey
Romance
Twitter:
@jltrethewey
Amazon
Buy Links: Tying the Scot and Betting
the Scot and Forgetting
the Scot
