Our Spotlight Author for January 2005
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Dear Readers,
Welcome! Come in and pull up a seat close to the fire. It’s chilly out
there this month.
It’s an honor for me to have been chosen for the monthly author spotlight here at Romance Reader at Heart, and I’m glad that you had a chance to stop by. Chestwick, my cranky castellan over at Château Delacroix was even persuaded to part with a measure of mead to add to the hospitality offered here. Be sure to pour yourself a cup – if I have to take it back to the château, he’ll feel unappreciated and give me trouble all winter long. Be warned, though, it’s potent stuff. Sip slowly or you’ll be having a nap here in the hall.
You’ve probably come for a bit of news, as most travelers do, and I’ve a bit to share. I’m very excited about 2005, as this is a year filled with possibilities for me. For starters, my new Scottish medieval trilogy, the Jewels of Kinfairlie will ALL be released this year – yes, THREE books in one year! I’m just thrilled that Warner has made this possible (especially now that I’ve finished writing those three books in one year!) You met these eight siblings very briefly at the end of THE WARRIOR, as they are the children of Roland and Catherine. (Ysabella was pregnant with Roland by the end of THE ROGUE.) Tragedy visits this close-knit family when Roland and Catherine are killed in an accident at sea. The new series begins with the eldest son, Alexander – the biggest troublemaker of them all – having to become responsible to assume his new duties as Laird of Kinfairlie. The first challenge before him is to marry at least two of his five sisters before the winter. Neither of the two elder sisters are particularly cooperative. So, Alexander arranges an auction for Madeline’s hand in THE BEAUTY BRIDE (January), one that doesn’t work out exactly as he planned. Alexander resolves to do better with Vivienne in THE ROSE RED BRIDE (May), and thinks he has arranged her abduction by a suitor who already holds her heart. He’s wrong, of course, but don’t fret for Vivienne: destiny is on her side. The third book of the trilogy features the vengeance of the two sisters upon Alexander: in THE SNOW WHITE BRIDE (November), they lock him in his chamber at Christmas with a mysterious stranger and no clothing. Alexander has no honorable choice the following morning but to marry the enigmatic woman in question. This series was such a lot of fun to write. I loved the barely-contained chaos of this large affectionate family and the paranormal elements that kept popping out of their history.
Also this year, my last two contemporary romances written under the name Claire Cross are being reprinted by Berkley. DOUBLE TROUBLE (January) and THIRD TIME LUCKY (August) will be reprinted in trade paperback with new cover art and marketed as ChickLit instead of Romance. This is kind of fun, as I’ve never had any of my books reprinted before.
Five releases in one year! Phew. It’s pretty amazing, so amazing that I’ve pinched myself a few times. Now, don’t be expecting me to do that again anytime soon…I’m still catching my breath from writing those three medievals in one year!
All my best –
Claire