Please welcome author Paula Quinn to this Question and Answer session.
1Q. I have enjoyed several of your historical romances. Do you have plans to write in any other genres, perhaps sci fi or paranormal since you liked those in your childhood writings?
Paula: Yes, I’d love to write paranormals set in an historical setting. I have a few manuscripts already written but they need a lot of work before submitting.
Martha: that certainly sounds interesting and I am going to keep and eye out for those.
2Q. What most inspires your plots?
Paula: I’m inspired by so many things, a beautiful song, a haunting picture, a certain face. Stories and their characters come to me usually at the most inopportune time, like when I don’t have a pen. J Kings and history inspire me the most though. I always imagine what life was like during a particular king’s reign. Heroes and heroines are born from that.
Martha: I like how you have included a combination of court life and country life in your stories.
3Q. Why did you choose the particular time period and setting for the Children of the Mist series?
Paula: The series was born from Laird of the Mist. I chose the seventeenth century after researching the MacGregor clan. Their proscription was coming to an end and Callum wanted the story told through his life. The current books continue roughly twenty years later when England and Scotland were plunged into political turmoil yet again with the ascension of a new Catholic king on the throne. The period was perfect for new heroes to emerge in defense of their beliefs.
Martha: And heroes are the basic stuff of romance.
4Q. When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the second and third flow from the first book?
Paula: Well, with The Children of the Mist series, I had to write up a series synopsis before submitting, so I had a general idea of how each book would flow. But anyone who plots first knows that characters often change the direction of their story. It always amazes me to see those changes from synopsis to finished product.
I like to give my characters free reign to take their own path, but working with a series doesn’t always allow it. You have to follow guidelines set by the first book, and sometimes those guidelines get in the way of the subsequent books. Often, the hero in book two or three in the series is set up or introduced in the first and some changes just can’t be made. It’s more difficult to let the story take its own direction.
Martha: You do write some strong minded characters and I can imagine that they might be hard to control.
5Q. Can you summarize
Seduced by a Highlander
in one sentence?
Paula: A notorious rogue seeks to restore his honor by seducing the daughter of his clan’s worst enemy.
Martha: That is a good synopsis but doesn't that seem an odd way to restore one's honor? :)
6Q. In
Seduced by a Highlander is there anything that your heroine would never be caught dead doing or saying?
Paula: Isobel Fergusson would never, ever admit who truly killed the hero’s beloved uncle.
Martha: Ah yes. I waited for quite a bit of the book to find the answer to that secret.
7Q. Is there an ancillary character in the Children of the Mist series you had the most fun with?
Paula: There’s always a character that springs to life for me more than others. In
Ravished by a 
Highlander
, it was Finlay Grant. (He actually fought to be in every scene. It was tempting and heartbreaking having to refuse.) In S
educed by a Highlander, it was Tamas, Isobel’s youngest brother. Tamas is eleven years old and Tristan's (the hero) worst nightmare.
Martha: That Tamas is definitely a scamp.
8Q. If you could trade places with anyone, real or imagined (including paranormal creatures), in any time, who would it be and why?
Paula: Hmm, interesting question. I think I would trade places with Kate Campbell from Laird of the Mist. While writing Laird, I felt a deep kinship with her and envied her for living in Skye-a place where I dream of living-in a time that crafted tough, honorable, loyal men. It’s not for everyone, but I would love to wake up to ancient mountain ranges and vast, isolated hills, watching my husband and sons bringing in the sheep.
Martha: Skye does seem to have an enchantment all its own. Wonderful that you would choose a place from your own writing.
9Q. Do you write for yourself or for your audience?
Paula: For both, I think. Fortunately, my audience likes tender romance, featuring men of honor and strong yet vulnerable heroines.
Martha: I am part of that audience that truly appreciates your lovely and engaging romances.
10Q. What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?
Paula: I enjoy reading when time allows, shopping with my daughters, spending time with my family, and interacting with my readers on my Facebook author page.
Martha: Now I am curious what you read when you can.
11Q. If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?
Paula: "The thing he found more desirable about her was her ability to ____________"
Martha: Let's see. My answer: "match him in their verbal sparring."
12Q. Just for fun: Do you have a favorite Highlander recipe?
Paula: Highland Toffee
Ingredients
· 1/3 cup vegetable oil
· 2 cups quick cooking oats
· 1/2 cup light brown sugar
· 1/4 cup light corn syrup
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
· 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
(This is a picture I found online) Directions
.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Generously grease an 8 or 9 inch square pan.
.In a large bowl, stir together vegetable oil and oats. Mix in brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla. Press mixture into prepared pan.
.Bake for 12 minutes in preheated oven. Set aside to cool.
.Cut into 4 large squares to remove from pan. Cover with melted chocolate, and sprinkle with nuts, if desired. Allow the chocolate to cool, and then cut each square into 9 pieces.
Martha: That sounds scrumptious. A good recipe for my husband or daughter to try.
Thank you so much, Paula, for sharing some of your writing process with us.
Check out
my review and don't miss the
giveaway!
(Central) on September 17, 2010. The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 
by Suza Kates
