Paisley Kirkpatrick and The Marriage Bargain

Today I'd like to welcome back Paisley Kirkpatrick with her newest release, Marriage Bargain. I asked Lady Paisley to share some things with us about writing, life, and her fantasy of the perfect writing cottage. 

1.At any given time do you work on only one story at a time and maybe plot out the next one or are there many ideas racing around your head?

I am usually working on a couple of stories at the same time. Since I have a new story being released every seven months, I am revising one while writing another. At times, I have three stories if I have revisions on the current story to be released. I do find that every once in a while I put the wrong name for my hero or heroine. My characters are so real to me that when they aren't where they are supposed to be, it is a surprise. I love when a new story begins taking shape. Some of my ideas go back twenty years and when they finally find the right plot to be put into, the story just takes off. 

2. Is there a genre you haven't written in but would like to? Or wish you could write in?

My male critique partner writes romance with werewolves and vampires. I had never read about them before and have found the genre to be quite fun. He's been encouraging me to write a western with a vampire in it, but I don't know if I am expert enough to tackle a vampire yet. I don't want to get bitten by one. Ghosts are a different story -- I have had plenty of run-ins with the ghosts who've been hanging around since the gold rush era.

3. Do you add an element of romantic suspense in your stories?

Yes, I do in all of my stories. I hadn't realized I was doing this until you asked. It's part of my major plot line. I guess it goes back to my mystery reading days and just came naturally. I like adding twists and turns and present a challenge to my characters.

4. Say you have unlimited funds: What kind of writing office/cottage would you create for yourself?

The tower room of a castle in the Scottish Highlands would be a nice idea. The winding staircase up to the office would have walls filled with books, alphabetized and filled with books on Scottish history, romance, and mysteries. A mural of all of Gerard Butler's movies would circle my office, and the desk would stand in the middle of the room with a plaid carpet. A life-size marble statue of Gerard similar to Michelangelo's David to draw inspiration from on cold lonely nights of writing would stand guard at the door.  Well, you asked! J

5. If you could turn your novel into a TV show, which novel or series would you do? Where would it be set?

This story would be difficult to put some place except for the trail across the country on a wagon train. Doubt it would make a good TV show at this time. My Paradise Pines Series is set in the Placerville, CA, area because of the gold rush era I put my characters into. I suppose it could be a bit like Deadwood with a little more class.

6. Finally, tell us about your latest release!

Marriage Bargain is set on the dusty trail of a wagon train traveling from St. Joseph, Missouri, to the California gold rush area at Placerville, California, in 1849. Betrayal and embarrassment drives Darrah Benjamin to run away from home to take a tutoring job in San Francisco. Darrah finds her journey a pathway to love and forgiveness when an arranged marriage to the wagon scout becomes much more than a convenience. Chase challenges her determination to keep their marriage in name only with his promise -- she’ll give him her heart and invite him to her bed before they arrive at their destination. Darrah has an immediate attraction to the rogue, but holds her emotions tight because she doesn't want her heart broken again.

Charles Danforth, a scout known as Chase, leads a wagon train of emigrants west through plains plundered by murderers. As an undercover agent of President Polk, he has sworn to stop the massacres.  Darrah's inadvertent comment gives him the clue he needs to achieve his assignment. His Sioux blood brother helps Chase end the killings, but almost ruins Chase’s chance of winning Darrah’s heart when he takes matters in his own hands to demonstrate the depth of love Chase has for his wife.

Where to Buy:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Desert Breeze