It’s my pleasure to sit down with Audrey Adair to talk writing, romance and her new release, Treasures of the Wind!

Author Interview

unnamed (1)When did you realize or decide you wanted to be a writer?
I honestly don’t ever remember a time that I didn’t want to be a writer. My mom still has stories I wrote as a child — of course, complete with illustrations that are absolutely awful (my creativity does not extend to artistry). Over the years I just kept writing, although it wasn’t until recently that I started actually publishing my work.
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What has been your best experience as an author so far?
There have been many amazing experiences, including how wonderful it feels to receive positive feedback from readers. Another experience that stands out is receiving the first print version of my book and holding it in my hands. That was the moment I felt like a true author.
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What sort of challenges have you faced as a writer? How did you overcome them? When I wrote my first book, I never thought of the marketing side of things. I wrote of an era that wasn’t commonly written about and crossed a few different genres within historical romance. I had to determine where to go from there in order to keep readers engaged. The best way to learn how to do so, I found, was simply asking my readers through my newsletter what they were most interested in.

How do you research and plan your books? Do you find outlining helps or hinders your process? I create my characters first, and then take them from their home setting and try to determine their actions and reactions from there. I also research the country and the era and determine how some of the external historical factors would have an influence on their lives. I typically do a rough outline and then work from there. As I write, I research everything that might affect my characters, from their clothing to the location to customs of the day.

Have you learned anything really cool or interesting while researching your books? What’s been the weirdest research you’ve ever had to do?
I learned a lot about ocean and train travel when writing my first book (Hearts of Starlight, or its sweet and wholesome version, The Scot’s Vow). I was also very intrigued by the clan battles and dynamics throughout my research for my Love for All Times series. The weirdest research was perhaps learning how head injuries were treated in 16th century Scotland. It wasn’t pretty, to say the least.
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What advice would you give to new writers in the field?
Just write. You hear that the only way to become a better writer is to actually do it. It’s a difficult lesson to learn, but it’s certainly a true one. Start that first draft. You can always go back and rewrite.
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Tell us a little about your writing nook! Favorite tea/coffee/writing snack?
My favorite writing nook is outside in the backyard overlooking a bicycle path. The sun hits the yard in the afternoon, and is warm in the winter, while an umbrella provides lovely shade in the summer.
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Of all of your own characters, who would you most want to date?
Callum! He was the first hero I ever wrote, and I wrote him with all the qualities I would want in a man.
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What project are you currently working on?
I just published the steamy version of the third book in my McDougalls series, Treasures of the Wind. I will publish the sweet and wholesome version in the next month or two, to be followed by the fourth book in the series, featuring Roderick McDougall!
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What’s next for you?
Once the McDougalls series is finished, I will determine what era I would next like to explore, but I will certainly maintain my Scottish roots. I also write a little bit of non-fiction and will focus on that as well.
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About Audrey!
XXX Audrey Adair was born and raised on the Canadian prairies and in Scottsdale, Arizona.
XXX She spent her childhood reading through the various sections at the library, and her love for books has continued throughout her life. She has read every book by Julie Garwood, Mary Balogh, and Julia Quinn! She studied English and History in college before completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. She wrote feature magazine articles and non-fiction books before discovering her true love of writing historical romance.
XXX She has a soft spot for the rough and tumble men of history — the pirates, the rakes, and most especially the Highlanders, and loves the power of a strong woman.
XXX Audrey finds intrigue and romance in every time period, from the ancient Egyptians to 20th-century pioneers.
XXX Besides writing, she loves training her dogs, cooking, running, hiking, and driving her children from one activity to another.
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Audrey loves to connect with her readers! She loves to receive email from readers at audrey@prairielilypress.com.
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If you’d like to receive the latest news on Audrey’s releases, be part of giveaways and other content, sign up for her newsletter!
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You can also connect with her on Facebook!

 

Book Interview
unnamed (2)Tell us a little about your new release: Treasures of the Wind
Rebecca Trenton yearns to expand her horizons and accompanies her father on a hunting trip to the Scottish Highlands. There, she meets Adam McDougall, who wants nothing more than his family, his home, and the solitude of his Highland life. When the two find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another, can they overcome all obstacles to find their destiny?
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Where did your inspiration for the book come from?
Adam’s character has been well established in previous books, but I was inspired to write about wind as an energy source as lately I’ve been really intrigued by green technology and was wondering more about its origins.
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Did you outline the story, or dive right in?
I outlined it first! This one actually progressed fairly well through the outline, and for once, I followed my outline fairly closely.
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How did your characters come to life?
I already knew who Adam would be, and he came to life through his interactions with his brothers. Rebecca came to life through the way she responded to the situations she was placed in when out of her comfort zone, and the way she acted on her emotions.
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Did you do any cool or interesting research for this story? What did you learn?
I did a lot of really neat research on wind turbines as well as the beginnings of electricity, which fit right into the era. I also continued my bit of fun research on the history of Loch Ness and its resident monster.
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What was your favorite part of working on this story? What was the most challenging?
My favorite part of the story was, as always, bringing the hero and heroine together and their growing feelings for one another. The most challenging was seamlessly weaving in facts about the wind turbines to provide enough information but without taking away from the romance.
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What’s next for this story – is it part of a series? When does it come out?
The sweet and wholesome version of the book will be out May 23rd, while I am planning for book 4 to be released July 18th.

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Excerpt
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“You said the lake is deep. Are there a few feet of shallow water? Can I wade in?”
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“A few,” he said, his brows furrowing above concerned eyes. “Here, take hold of my arm in case the ground falls away. I know these waters fairly well, but there are still mysteries that lurk beneath the surface.”
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“Mysteries? Like what?”
“Well, now, lassie, dinna tell me you haven’t heard of the monster that lives in these waters?”
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He took hold of her elbow then, and she felt fire shoot up her arm from where his fingers lightly held her. She tried to deny how affected she was by his solid presence next to her, but she knew she was only lying to herself.
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“Monster?” she asked, trying to concentrate on his words.
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“Aye,” he said, mischief lighting his eyes and turning up the corners of his mouth. “We call her Nessie. She’s lived in these waters for years now, longer than any of us have been alive, that’s for certain. Now and then, when one is out swimming, ye may feel something brush by your foot with no explanation. That’s Nessie. She knows us and is just being friendly. Strangers though … she doesna like those who do not belong.”
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“Like the English?” she said, trying not to laugh at his outlandish story as she turned to face him.
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“Aye, like the English,” he said, smiling now in earnest. Their bare feet were planted next to one another in the water, his face so close to hers. Close enough to touch … and she did, reaching out a hand to brush a lock of hair off his forehead and back behind his ear. As she did so, their eyes met, and she knew the monster of the lake could have reared up right next to her and she would not have been able to turn away.
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The laughter in his face died, his eyes hardening so dark they were nearly black. She swallowed but didn’t move, and when he lowered his head to hers, she could do nothing but meet him halfway.

 

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