Good morning, Janna and welcome to Coffee Time Romance. Please grab a seat in our cozy recliner, relax, and enjoy a hot cup of coffee, with some chewy chocolate chip cookies or brownies. We even have hot tea. The readers are very eager to learn more about Janna MacGregor, and her latest Regency novel, The Luck of the Bride.
Good morning! I’m so delighted to be here. Anytime there is a mention of coffee and chocolate, I’m there. Thank you for having me.
I imagine your life was certainly busy, raising three triplets. Would you like to tell us how you managed, with your work, and your writing?
Sometimes I still can’t believe that my husband and I raised three children of the same age and all at the same time. Would you believe that the first year after they were born flew by in a blur? Sleep deprivation became a part of our everyday routine. After that it was easier until their middle and high school years. My occupation during that time was a professional chauffer as I was carting them around to all their activities. It wasn’t until they graduated from college that I started writing.
Janna, it is good to have you with us. The readers are anxious to hear about your romance, The Luck of the Bride. Could you share some insight for us today?
Thank you! THE LUCK OF THE BRIDE features Miss March Lawson and the Marquess of McCalpin, Michael Cavensham. Introduced in the second book of the Cavensham Heiresses series, THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY, March takes control of McCalpin’s life just like any good sheep farmer is wont to do. However, McCalpin has other ideas especially when he discovers that his little sheep farmer is embezzling from him! They butt heads, and the romance blossoms.
What makes their romance special is that they are the perfect foils for one another’s weaknesses and at the same time bolstering each other’s strengths. They were a fun and adorable couple to write about.
What made you choose this genre? Was it something you always wanted to write?
My very first romance was a Barbara Cartland romance set in the Regency period, The Impetuous Duchess. After I finished it, I wanted more. Historical romances set in the Regency period became my favorite type of story, and I devoured every Barbara Cartland I could get my hands on.
I never thought of myself as a writer and really didn’t have the desire. But when my triplets flew the nest, I had a tremendous amount of time on my hands. I knew then that a story was in me. From there, The Cavensham Heiresses series was born.
How did you decide on the characters in the story? Was it easy or difficult?
In my first book, THE BAD LUCK BRIDE, I created this family, the Cavenshams, who were close and supportive of one another. It was a family I wanted to be a part of. As the characters blossomed, they all wanted their own stories. From those stories, others have started to percolate. I have to say it was rather easy to imagine such a family, but of course, writing is a difficult process—at least for me.
Do you have other works in progress that you are working on, besides the next book release in November, The Good, The Bad, and The Duke?
Thank you for asking! Yes, I’m in a holiday anthology with Jennifer Ashley, Christi Caldwell, Grace Burrowes, Eva Devan, Louisa Cornell, Jess Michaels that releases October 23, 2018. The title is ‘TIS THE SEASON: YULETIDE REGENCY SHORT STORIES.
The short stories are designed to be like pieces of chocolate. You can sit down and enjoy a good romance or two for a short period of time during the busiest season of the year with each guaranteeing a happily-ever-after. My story is entitled THE EARL’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE (The Cavensham Heiresses.) It follows Miss Julia Lawson, March Lawson’s sister from THE LUCK OF THE BRIDE, and the love of her life, Cameron Dunmore, the Earl of Queensgrace, as they navigate their way to true love during the holiday season in London.
I’m in final edits of book five in The Cavensham Heiresses series entitled ROGUE MOST WANTED. It features Lord William Cavensham and Lady Theadora Eanruig. They’re two people who aren’t looking for love or marriage, but friendship—until they discover they’re the perfect match for each other. ROGUE MOST WANTED releases June 25, 2019.
Janna, in your spare time, (if you have any), what do you do for relaxation?
Behind my house are beautiful hiking trails in a forested area of Kansas City, MO. I love to take a daily walk there. Of course, in the evening, I can’t wait to pick up a good book to read. I love all types of romance—contemporary, paranormal, YA, and of course, historical particularly anything set in the Regency period!
How would you describe your workplace?
That’s hard to answer but let me give it a go. My writing space is pretty small. I have two desks set in an ‘L’ formation with two computers. One is always on the Oxford English Dictionary and research sites while the other has the current manuscript I’m working on. My research books are in a large bookshelf directly behind my desks.
What’s unique about my writing room is my chalkboards that cover two walls in my office. I plot my stories or draw my characters’ outline there. It’s easy to change, but it gives me a wide-angle view of my story.
When composing your stories, do you start with an outline, or rather, work on the beginning, middle or end first?
I’m a plotter, so I have a detailed outline before I start my story. However, when the characters come alive sometimes they take me in different directions, and I’m more than willing to see what they want and incorporate that into my story.
I always write from the beginning to the end. When I start edits, if I think I need to add or delete a scene, that’s when I do it.
If you could spend a week-long vacation, where would your ideal fantasy destination place take you? Would it only be you and your husband, or would you take the whole family with you?
I adore the United Kingdom. Last year, my husband and I traveled there for the New Year. It was a research dream, and I got a ton of ideas for my stories. So, my fantasy destination will always be the UK. Let’s say in this fantasy, I get to travel there every year. How about if we alternate who goes? One year, we’ll take the family, then the next year it’s just my husband and me. That’s fair, isn’t it? LOL! I’d love to spend a month or so in the English countryside just writing and researching.
What is your all-time favorite movie you could watch repeatedly?
That’s easy! Home Alone. I adore this holiday movie. When Kevin is left alone while his family leaves for Paris, it’s suspenseful and hysterical at the same time. It was my inspiration for THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE.
Growing up, what did you like to read, and who was your favorable author?
As a child, I loved to read anything. In grade school, I was enamored with the Nancy Drew mysteries by Carolyn Keene. I gobbled those up. Plus, anything by Charles Schultz. To this day, I can’t resist anything with Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts’ gang.
Is there anything that you would like to share with your readers?
It’s been a pleasure visiting with you today. If your readers want to find out more about my books, please visit my website, www.jannamacgregor.com for the latest news and happenings. Be sure and signup for my newsletter.
Thank you, Janna for being with us today. We hope to see lots more of your stories in the future.
Leave a Comment