#NewYearsEve Author Interview | Discussing Historical Romance with Catherine Tinley whose an upcoming guest via @SatBookChat (5th January, 2019)

Happy New Year’s Eve, dear hearts!

I have several surprises to share with you thoughout the next two days, as I had a bit of a scheduling wrinklement happening behind my blog – I was down for the count for three weeks battling through a severe Winter virus, which affected the frequency and posting schedule of what I wanted to share before we head into a New Year of [2019] !! Therefore, I’ll be sorting through those posts on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day – releasing them after I’ve finished writing & editing them, whilst happily cheering on a new chapter in all our lives!

I am starting with a conversation I had the joy of having with Catherine Tinley – who happily alerted me about the third release in her Chadcombe Marriages trilogy!! If you might recall, right at the start of 2018 I had the chance to read a novel by Ms Tinley for the first time – marking not just my first Historical Romance of hers but of Mills & Boon! If you are a new reader and visitor to Jorie Loves A Story, I encourage you to read why this first novel of hers had such a strong impact on me as a reader – as it wasn’t the first Chadcombe novel, it was the second!

Uniquely, I reviewed “The Captain’s Disgraced Lady” on the 5th of January, 2018 – a full year later, I am reviewing “Waltzing with the Earl” and hosting Ms Tinley during #SatBookChat (@SatBookChat) for our first New Year’s chat of 2019!

I have three lovely guests scheduled throughout January – wherein I shall be reading stories of either Women’s Fiction &/or Romance whilst hosting the authors on Saturday mornings @ 11a NYC | 4p UK. This kicks-off a full year of features on Jorie Loves A Story part of my new feature which I debuted this Autumn: #SaturdaysAreBookish. I will be showcasing all genres within these two branches of literature whilst seeing where my literary wanderings take me as the seasons & months progress forward. I only have one confirmation for February and look forward to the serendipitousness of who becomes our guest and where those real-time conversations will ultimately lead as we discuss the stories they inspire!

“Waltzing with the Earl” was a novel I thought I had run out of time to purchase, as it was a novel I dearly wanted to read ever since I read the sequel. I was thankful to find one of the last remaining ‘new copies’ available to order and when it finally arrived – the JOY it gave me to place it next to “The Captain’s Disgraced Lady” knows no bounds! As anyone who reads serial fiction knows how lovely it is to have a series nearly completed to read!

I am unsure when I shall be bringing the final installment of the trilogy home – but when I do, you can be assured, I’ll be chattering about reading it!!! For now, as a segue into our new #SatBookChat schedule of authors and the new stories I’ll be featuring during #SaturdaysAreBookish – let us take a moment to become acquainted with Ms Tinley!!

As a preview of why I appreciate her Historical Romance style of narrative – here is a quotation from my review from January, 2018:

I love how Ms Tinley has paced this novel – of how she chose to reveal their behaviour quirks and they try to hold back a bit of themselves at the same time. Rather than reveal a lot about the setting in the beginning, she found a way to break-down the introductions to the main characters by placing them in a setting which would befit close quarters and companionable space – where they would have to sit and converse amongst each other for a specific period of time before departing company. In this, you get to see where their confidences lie and where their insecurities start to bubble to the surface; you also see them caught off-guard either by being outwitted or simply heard something unexpected they hadn’t thought they would hear at all. In this, it’s quite a refreshing way to entreat into a story because your stranded with the characters, seeing how they react to each other and what can be observed through their interactions. If anything, it’s a great study in human behaviour!

I truly read this novel in one sitting – much to my delight! I was happily surprised to find this did not follow the same pattern as Harlequin novels on this side of the Pond; in fact, it had it’s own voice, style and disclosure like I would expect from any Historical Romance; something which surprised me as Harlequin Historicals (as I know them here) have the tendency to follow suit after each other; most Harlequin stories have a ‘trademark’ so to speak and what I found wicked refreshing is this felt wholly original of Ms Tinley without the ‘signature Harlequin mark’ on it!!

Perhaps I am a Mills & Boon girl!?

Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate Harlequin for what Harlequin provides — but ooh. There was something wicked lovely about this author’s spin on this particular story-line… I was so glued to her words, especially the turns of phrases she used and the ways in which she revealled the character’s truer thoughts about one another. You get privy to both the action of the scenes but also, what each lead character is contemplating privately; the balance between the two was delightful but also, it was how it was spaced out and evenly divided to where you never felt one was sacrificed for the other.

I know one thing is for certain – I must hunt down which online book shoppe has the Mills & Boon edition of Waltzing with the Earl and hopefully it shall be the same which will carry the third novel where Olivia’s story is known! The reason I love the elements inside this novel is because they bring back the Regency of my youth with the Regency I know as an adult – the kind of stories I gravitate towards but also, it speaks to the voice I seek out in these kinds of Regencies. Not every writer who writes Regency Romance has this style nor this comprehension of how to curate this kind of voice for the historic period in question. Thereby, the best part of finding this novel #unputdownable was how wicked happy I was to be reading it!

This conversation is a prelude to the 5th – be sure to list your Questions for Ms Tinley in the comment threads – as I can use those in our live discussion as well as have the author know you’ve left messages behind for her on my blog. Be sure to mark your calendars for the 5th and join us as we discuss #HistRom and this lovely trilogy! We’ll be focusing on the first & third novel – as I’ll be reviewing the first and the third is already available for readers to enjoy!

A wallflower’s time to shine… 

The Earl of Shalford needs to marry into money to save his estate. Wealthy and beautiful Henrietta Buxted should be the perfect candidate. So why does his eye keep wandering to her quiet cousin, Charlotte Wyncroft?

Charlotte watches Henrietta’s games of courtship with wry amusement. That is, until a stolen dance reveals a hidden side to the earl. Penniless Charlotte knows she’s far from a suitable match, yet, in Adam’s arms, she can dream of the happily-ever-after she’s always wanted!

Come back early on Saturday, 5th January, 2019 to read my thoughts on behalf of this novel before we discuss this series during #SatBookChat!

I have fond memories of discovering your Historical Romance style earlier in [2018] when I had the pleasure of reading “The Captain’s Disgraced Lady” – which is the second novel in your Chadcombe Marriages series. Focusing a bit on behalf of “Waltzing with the Earl” – how did you want to set the stage for the series within this first story and which of the characters would readers happily find are threading through the rest of the series?

Tinley responds: Thanks – I’m always so happy to connect with a reader who likes my books! The Chadcombe Marriages trilogy focuses on the Fanton family – two brothers and a younger sister. The eldest, Adam, has inherited the Earldom and takes his responsibilities very seriously. In Waltzing with the Earl, he is on the lookout for a suitable wife and a decent dowry as part of the deal. This will help him get the Chadcombe estate back on an even keel financially. He invites two families to visit his country estate in order to help him decide whether to propose marriage to Miss Buxted or Miss Etherington. However it is Miss Buxted’s cousin, the quiet, intelligent Charlotte, who attracts his attention. Waltzing is a Cinderella story, about how sometimes you really should follow your heart, not your head.

Book 2, The Captain’s Disgraced Lady, focuses on Adam’s brother Harry, and what happens when he encounters Charlotte’s best friend, the fierce and passionate Juliana. The book goes from Chadcombe to London, then on to Brussels and the battlefield at Waterloo and includes drama and intrigue as well as romance.

The final book in the series is out now. It’s called The Makings of a Lady, and focuses on Lady Olivia, Adam & Harry’s younger sister. She is tired of being treated as a child, and longs to build her own life – possibly by getting married and leaving her childhood home. Just as she finally meets a man who interests her – the dashing George Manning – her first love Captain Jem Ford reappears after four years. Lady Olivia finds herself in danger and needs to work out who to trust.

Each book can be read as a standalone story, but readers have really liked meeting the same characters threading through the books – not only the Fantons but others like the Foxleys, the Buxteds, and Captain Ford!

Technically, this is true – but I am one of those readers who prefers to read the whole series – I’ll be re-reading “The Captain’s Disgraced Lady” once I secure a copy of “The Makings of a Lady” in order to keep the sequencing in my mind on line with how everything is revealled between the novels. What really is charming about how you write the series is how much depth you place inside the girth of the novels themselves! I only wish I had the Mills & Boon versions of the first and third installments – as there is a slight difference in how they are published between the two countries. Still. Just getting the chance to read “Waltzing with the Earl” is a bookish dream come true this New Year, 2019!

One of the things I loved most about how your writing the Historical Romances for Mills & Boon is how you’ve sorted out how to reveal their behaviour quirks whilst balancing the pacing of the novel in such a way as to allow a first-time reader of yours to soak inside the world you’ve created with an ease of joy. What can you share about how you’ve approached the pacing and the revelations? Especially within the pages of “The Captain’s Disgraced Lady”? as this is served my ‘introduction’ to your writings.

Tinley responds: I really enjoy balancing plot with character – external action with internal growth and self-knowledge. In each of the books there are fairly dramatic events that influence the characters and their actions, but there are also internal conflicts including those derived from lack of confidence, self-doubt, and other negative voices in our heads. Some readers get frustrated when characters misunderstand each other or make assumptions about each other– particularly where this is a barrier to two people revealing their feelings for each other. However in real life many of us have to battle with our inner voice – the one that says we’re not worthy, or that someone couldn’t possibly like/love us. So I like the challenge of pacing plot revelations with changes in how people see themselves – I do think that we are all on an endless journey of learning who we are.

You’ve expressed the very reasons why I love reading your writings – I can’t wait to see what comes next in your new series – as I was happy you wanted to share a bit of a preview with my readers today! You’re quite right too – our inner conscience is one of our worst enemies – our internal voice and our way of self-criticising ourselves can become detrimental if we are not conscience of it. You have a lovely mixture of knowing the instincts of a Historical drama cast against the beauty of a Historical Romance. And, yes I agree with your final takeaway about how we appreciate taking the journey of self-discovery – whether we’re reading or whether we’re experiencing life as it unfolds.

Within the pages of “The Makings of a Lady” it feels to me this story has the premise and heart of showing how one woman chooses to determine how she wants to direct her future – almost as if it is a coming of age story proving how despite appearances, sometimes it takes a bit longer to get yourself where you want to be in life. What can you share about the journey Lady Olivia is undertaking?

Tinley responds: It absolutely is a coming of age story. Lady Olivia was present in the first two books, but always in the background. She has finally had enough of being the younger sister, and demands her own life, her own story. Of course, demanding it, and needing to be treated as an adult also means taking responsibility and facing up to challenges, and poor Olivia has a few of those to face on the way to her happy-ever-after. She learns what it means to be brave, and also gets a painful lesson in who to trust.

I believe coming-of age stories are amongst my favourites, to be honest!! They are have different places of engaging with the character who needs the most self-growth and each story in turn has something unique to share about our own search for personal enlightenment.

What is one thing which might surprise readers to learn about the male lead (here I refer to Captain Jem Ford) within “The Makings of a Lady” as this story has such a strong premise leaning on the female lead? What makes him stand out in your own mind?

Tinley responds: Jem demanded his own story when he made a jokey comment about pillows in The Captain’s Disgraced Lady. In an instant, he came alive to me in a new way. At the time he was a young junior officer and it was obvious that he needed to grow into a worthy hero – which he absolutely did. He isn’t as alpha as the arrogant Earl or the dashing Captain Harry Fanton, but his quiet strength makes him the perfect match for Olivia.

Isn’t that fanciful of him? I love when writers talk about how some stories and some tangents of a side story were not necessarily planned ahead of time – but they were inspired during the writing of the stories themselves! I think it speaks to how we are re-inspired by the characters we’re creating as much as we endeavour to honour their lives by how we want to reflect their own journey within the structure of the evolving narrative.

How did you first fall in love with writing Historical Romances during the 19th Century? What was it about this era which pulled you into imagining your own characters living the Regency?

Tinley responds: Like many (most?) regency authors I love Georgette Heyer’s Regency and Georgian books. I have read them so many times I have to force myself not to reads them every year as I know them too well! I do remember the impulse to write one came from the simple frustration that she hadn’t written more. I wouldn’t presume to equate what I do to the incomparable Heyer, but I still wish she’d written hundreds of regencies! The ‘what if?’ that led to Waltzing with the Earl was the blend of Cinderella and Regency – what if a young woman of good family had already met a man, and they were on their way to falling in love with each other, when she lost her place and position in society?

OOh dear my – I think everyone I know far and wide has a love affair and appreciation for Heyer!! I am still trying to make my way through her novels – as I was going to focus on them this past year during #SatBookChat, but between unexpected delays in getting into the audiobooks and my own health afflictions, I finally threw in the towel on the idea. I’ll have to see if in the Spring this year I can re-attempt to listen to a sampling of her stories and determine if finally I can find a niche of joy in her Regencies or if they simply aren’t my cuppa.

I can assure you – your stories are evocative of the era and are highly entertaining – so much so – I found myself at ease within your story whereas with Heyer I always find myself feeling slightly ‘removed’. So far she’s the only Regency author I’ve attempted where I have found it slow going to get involved with her characters. I love how you said this is a Regency Cinderella story-line – ooh boy, am I going to have a heap of lovely fun this week!

What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of writing a Historical Romance? The era itself, the mannerisms of the characters, the setting or building the character arc and have readers feel as if they’ve time travelled back into the era your story resides? Or perhaps its something else?

Tinley responds: Truthfully, I don’t find it that challenging. I use lots of reference books and wonderful historical websites. I do aim for historical accuracy and it frustrates me when I get things wrong. I love throwing in historical detail and I do try to inform readers as well as entertain them. For example in The Makings of a Lady there is a childbirth scene that is as accurate as I can make it. I wanted to show how strong women are, how amazing our bodies are, and to try to counteract the modern notion that childbirth is a terrifying bloodbath. In learning more about history we can sometimes challenge current beliefs and prevailing myths.

I can understand that – it would be hard to remain accurate per the timeline in living history vs the timeline of your story’s events. I also agree by preserving History and the lessons passed down through different generations, some of the past does not have to be repeated in the present and that endears the future to be a bit better off as well. I am unsure why there is so much myth and dis-truths surrounding childbirth but I have noticed this as well. There was a point in History where childbearing was more dangerous due to a lack of medical intervention when things went wrong or the inability to have a trusted midwife, etc but outside of that, there are misnomers and mistruths that have instilled a lot of fear.

There is an eloquence of style, language and delivery within your novels – how do you approach drawing into the historic past yet maintain the sophisticated edge you’ve given your writings?

Tinley responds: Why thank you! Honestly, the language just comes. I don’t overthink it – I just write. Occasionally I get a little bit poetic and try not to critique myself. When the words are flowing and I’m in the zone there isn’t anything else like it.

I love how your Historical Romances are lovingly poetic to read – they are a true delight!

What can you share with readers who might not realise ‘Waltzing with the Earl’ won the 2018 RITA Award for Best Historical Romance (short) and how your experience at the RITAs in Colorado was a memorable experience? Also what makes your novel considered (short) vs (long)?

Tinley responds: I’m fairly new to all of this. Waltzing with the Earl is my first novel and it was published in 2017. It was therefore eligible to be entered into the 2017 RITA ® awards. Any novel shorter than 89,000 words is entered into the ‘short’ category. There is a separate category for books above that threshold. Harlequin Mills & Boon Historicals are always around 75,000 words in length.

I honestly had no expectations – it was amazing to me just to have a publishing deal – so when I was informed (in a phone call from New York) that the book was a finalist in not one but two categories, I was pretty overwhelmed. Not only had the book been shortlisted in the Best First Book category, but in the Best Historical category, where it was up against a range of books written by writers with much more experience than me.

So I travelled to Denver, Colorado in July for the RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference and awards night. Being a finalist was amazing – everyone was so friendly and delighted for all the finalist. We felt so special all week. On the night of the awards, as they were announcing the winner in the category before the Historical (short), I suddenly, and for the first time, realised that I might actually win it. The hairs all stood up on my arm and I said to my roommate Karen who was sitting beside me, ‘If I win, can you video it?’ I did, and she did!

Many congratulations to you, Ms Tinley! I love how you had the video to share with my readers – as much as how unexpected this was for you to receive the honour of the award! I hear Colorado is a awe-inspiring state to visit as its nestled so close to the mountains. Sounds to me like you had a wicked good night and have a lot of happy memories to keep you in smiles!

What were your favourite secondary or minor characters within the Chadcombe Marriages trilogy and what made them stand out to you even now as you look back on the series as a whole?

Tinley responds: My daughter loves the subplot to Waltzing with the Earl, which involved Faith Buxted falling in love with a gentleman who did not meet the approval of her strong-willed Mama! It was great to figure out how to give Faith her very own happy-ever-after, while punishing the mother a little for being so domineering and insensitive. Faith and her husband reappear in The Makings of a Lady, and it was so nice to show how happy and contented they are. I do enjoy my comic/crass/embarrassing characters as well – Mrs Buxted, Henrietta, Hubert, and the Wakelys all make me giggle and cringe in equal measure. In The Makings of a Lady there’s a scene where a child realises he’s in the company of Lords and Ladies, and is gobsmacked – that one was fun to write too.

I literally cannot wait to read the story now – I’ll have much more takeaways and insights to share as well as re-reading through your responses on this convo to see closer what your referencing to in the stories I’ve yet to read!

As “The Makings of a Lady” concludes the Chadcombe Marriages trilogy – what do you have your sights on writing next? Another series or a one-off? Will you remain in the Regency or tackle another era? What do you think is motivating your writerly life now that this first series has concluded?

Tinley responds: I’ve written my next book already! The title is The Earl’s Runaway Governess and it will be out in April 2019. Here’s the blurb:

Who knew living with an Earl…

…would lead to such temptation?

Marianne Grant’s new identity as a governess is meant to keep her safe. But then she meets her new employer, Ash, Earl of Kingswood, and she immediately knows his handsome good looks are a danger of their own! Brusque on first meeting, Ash quickly shows his compassionate side. Yet Marianne doesn’t dare reveal the truth! Unless Ash really could be the safe haven she’s been looking for…

This will start another trilogy, as some of the other characters in the Governess tale will have their own adventures in books 2 & 3 of the series. I’m staying firmly in my beloved Regency era. At the same time I’ve started a completely different book – a chick-lit romance set in the 1980s! I’m having great fun with that one too!

Look at you! You were all prepared for this enquiry and it sounds intriguing to me! I am so thrilled to bits to hear your keeping locked into the Regency! I love these kinds of romances, too – a bit like why I love the connection between Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester – another novel I’ll be reading this January. I am looking forward to this novel’s publication but also, I know I’ll most likely be reading it after I fetch a copy of “The Makings of a Lady” as I would love to start this one after I conclude the first trilogy!

What are your favourite eras in history to read for pleasure when your not focusing on writing one of your own stories? Is there something readers might feel surprised about your reading habits?

Tinley responds: Like lots of writers, I’ve found that my opportunities to read have decreased, as writing takes up all my spare time. While that’s good in terms of finding and strengthening my own voice, it is sad that I don’t get to read as much these days. When I do, I go back to my favourites. As well as Heyer and regency romance in general, I enjoy High Fantasy and Sci Fi – Sheri S Tepper, Fiona McIntosh, and the Empire trilogy by Feist & Wurtz would be among my favourites.

I love having a list of authors to seek after a hearty convo! Thanks for sharing a portion of your readerly life and giving us a keen insight into how you love to read a mixture of literary styles as much as I do myself! High Fantasy, Science Fiction and the realms of Speculative Fiction are regularly discussed on Jorie Loves A Story as they are my favourites as well.

What uplifts your spirit the most when you’re not researching and writing your stories?

Tinley responds: I volunteer for a charity called NCT – the National Childbirth Trust. I help organise groups and activities for pregnant women and new parents in my local community. Currently we have a walking group (buggies/slings welcome), breastfeeding groups, Bumps and Babies groups, and an intergenerational group called Wee Ones meeting Wise Ones! We also give women and their partners information about pregnancy and birth, including sharing evidence about how they can increase their chances of a positive birth. Worldwide, there are countries without enough medical facilities and midwives, but in the west we have an epidemic of too much unnecessary medicalisation and intervention, that does not save any more lives but can in itself cause problems. I’m involved in maternity strategy work with government and health providers to nudge things in the right direction.

I chased down the proper website to link here as I thought it was a wonderful organisation and deserved to have full recognition. Thank you so much for sharing about its purpose and the ways in which they impact the lives of those who need their services most!

This lovely interview was courtesy of the novelist who inspired the conversation:

I am hopeful this interview has led you to discovering a new author of Regency Romances – or if you’ve been a reader of Ms Tinley’s in the past, isn’t it lovely knowing she’s going to be creating Regencies for us to read for quite a long time into the future? I thought it was fantastic, personally! Also if you are ready reader of the Chadcombe Marriage trilogy – I hope portions of this interview enabled you to find out a bit of trivia & insight into how the novels were written!

I look forward to engaging with you during #SatBookChat – this coming Saturday, the 5th of January, 2019! It is our first New Year’s #SatBookChat – be sure to arrive a bit early for the pre-chat meet & greets and bring your questions for Ms Tinley!

Til soon, dear hearts! Happy New Year, 2019!!

Similar to blog tours where I feature book reviews, as I choose to highlight an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog. I provide the questions for interviews and topics for the guest posts; wherein I receive the responses back from publicists and authors directly. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them; I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers.

{SOURCES: Book covers of “Waltzing with the Earl”, “The Captain’s Disgraced Lady” and “The Makings of a Lady”, as well as the synopsises, author photograph of Catherine Tinley and the author biography were provided by the author Catherine Tinley and are used with permission. Post dividers badge by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Conversations with the Bookish and the Comment Box Banner.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2018.

Comments via Twitter:

.@SatBookChat | #SatBookChat announcement: our first guest of the New Year is @CatherineTinley!

Celebrate NYE by visiting #JLASblog whilst Jorie shares this lovely #interview as a precursor to our first chat of January!

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— #SatBookChat (@SatBookChat) December 31, 2018