Hi Lauren!

Why do you write historical romance?

I’ve had a life-long love affair with history. I was always drawn to books and movies about the past. Growing up, my elementary school’s library had a series of biographies that were about hundred pages per book—and I literally read every single one. I escaped to the past with people such as Joan of Arc, Anne Boleyn, Theodore Roosevelt, Clara Barton, Julius Caesar, and Louis XIV. I learned so much and wanted to know even more. I grew up to be a high school history teacher and tried to pass along to my students my passion for history and the people who made it. Nowadays, I have fun researching historical events and customs and creating people to live in those times—and I always get to write a happy ending!

 What’s your favorite historical era?

So far I’ve lived out my dreams by writing in my two favorite eras—medieval times and the American Old West. I’ve been able to write about knights and gamblers and cowboys. I’ve also made my women strong. One heroine was the only woman troubadour in all of England, while another was a popular dime novelist.

Do you have a favorite historical romance author?

I’ve enjoyed reading so many historical romance authors from Kathleen Woodiwiss and Julia Quinn to Catherine Coulter, Mary Jo Putney, and Jo Beverly. Currently, my favorite has to be Amanda Quick. She has terrific plots and writes unusual heroes and heroines. She also drops in all those lovely historical tidbits and trivia that I love to see included in any historical romance that I read.

Would you ever like to travel back in time?

You’d think I’d be brave and say, “Of course!” Nope. While I may enjoy reading about long ago, I enjoy my creature comforts way too much. Living in Texas, I’m particular fond of my central air conditioning. I can’t imagine living here in the 19^th century in the kind of heat we get—much less dressed in all those layers! Besides, if you’ve read Michael Crichton’s Timeline (or have seen the movie), time travel can go very, very wrong!

What’s coming up for you next?

In my writing life, I have a medieval historical romance coming out from Soul Mate Publishing in the fall. A Bit of Heaven on Earth takes place during The Hundred Years’ War and is about betrayal, friendship, and (naturally) love. Personally, I’m planning a trip to visit my best friend in Idaho during August to escape the Texas heat!

 Tell us about your book Written in the Cards:

Maggie Rutherford jilts her too-perfect groom at the altar and flees to the American West, where she turns her travels into dime novels written under a pen name. She interviews cowboy Ben Morgan for her next book and falls for him. Little does Maggie know that Ben is actually a gambler who killed a cheating opponent in self-defense—and now that man’s gunslinger brother has sworn revenge.

With Black Tex Lonnegan on his trail, will Ben run from his growing attraction to Maggie and the gunfighter’s promise of death–or will he make a stand for his life–and love?

What would you like people to know about you (put your bio or anything else here):

I would be happy if I could read a book a day—and even happier if I could also see a movie each day. I love to watch MasterChef and The Next Food Network Star, and I probably gain a couple of pounds just looking at the food those competitors produce. I think every day should start with a good cup of coffee or tea and a long walk, and it should end with some dark chocolate and laughter.

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Written in the Cards         Music For My Soul       Outlaw Muse       A Game of Chance