In TO MARRY A HIGHLANDER, the hero and heroine are made to marry after being found in a somewhat compromising situation. As a romance fan, I like that trope because it’s a quick way of getting two people together who otherwise might not. As a writer, what do you like about using that trope?
I like using that trope because sometimes the characters do want to be together, but there is something holding them back. In To Marry a Highlander, that’s what the situation is. Maura has always had a fancy for Conall, but he has such a reputation with the lasses, that she fears if they ever married, he would break her heart.
Your hero’s reputation with women precedes him in this book, and cause trouble in one way or another. How would you describe him to readers?
As the younger brother of the Laird of Sutherland, and right hand man to the laird, Conall holds a prominent place in the Clan. He is tall, slender, but all muscle. His long brown hair is tied back with a strip of leather. He uses his deep blue eyes, mesmerizing smile, good looks, and charm to pursue the lasses, who are more than happy to accommodate him.
How does Maura deal with the women constantly panting after Conall? Does it take her a long time to figure out how best to deal with it? Or is she a spitfire quick to defend her territory? How does Conall deal with the unwanted attention? Does it wave it off? Or actively try to stop it?
Maura has to deal with harassment, nasty tricks and other things from the lasses in the keep. Conall wants to step up to help her, but she wants to take care of the problems herself. She does a fairly good job, but then….
The struggle to trust is a key element in the relationship between Maura and Conall. Do you like playing with the themes of trust and betrayal in your books?
I never use betrayal and can’t even read a book about that. I’m not sure why, but it’s just a trope that is not on my radar and makes me uncomfortable. Trust is a huge part of To Marry a Highlander. Does Conall come through? Hmm. You will have to read the book.
If you could recommend only one of your books to readers unfamiliar with your work, which one would you pick? And why?
I love all my books and re-read all of them every couple of years. I had an author tell me that was very odd. However, if I were to pick one book (it’s like picking your favorite child, lol), it would be THE ELUSIVE WIFE, my first book with Entangled Publishing, and always my best seller with them. But then there’s SEDUCING THE MARQUESS. Oh, and THE HIGHLANDER’S CHOICE. And there is A SCOT TO WED… You get the picture.
Other authors I interviewed in the past have told me that the kind of books they enjoy reading are different than the kind of books they enjoy writing. What do you like to read? Favorite books? Favorite authors?
I read what I’m writing whether it’s highlander, regency/Victorian, western, or cozy mystery (my newest genre). It keeps me focused and centered so I don’t start using the wrong sort of terms for that time and place. Favorite authors? Again, like picking your favorite child. I’ll pick five, but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily more favored than others, but the first 5 I think of are: Julie Garwood, Sarah Maclean, Eliza Knight, Jayne Castel, and Elisa Braden. But so many, many more….
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently starting the third book in my Sutherlands of Dornoch Castel series, TO YIELD TO A HIGHLANDER. The first book, TO DECEIVE A HIGHLANDER released in February, the next one, TO MARRY A HIGHLANDER will release April 8th (now up for pre-order), TO YIELD TO A HIGHLANDER will be available on May 6th, and the last one, TO SCORN A HIGHLANDER June 17th.
TO MARRY A HIGHLANDER by Callie Hutton
The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #2
He didn’t mean for them to get caught. . .
Conall Sutherland, younger brother and right-hand man to Haydon, the laird of the Sutherland Clan, is happy with his life. Or was until recently. He’d never felt the pull of marriage, since he enjoys the company of the wenches who offer him room in their beds. Lately, however, things just don’t seem right.
Maura Mac Ewan, Conall’s distant cousin, has always had a fancy for him, but aware of his reputation with the lasses, she never encouraged him, fearing a broken heart. When the two are caught alone, in the dark, in each other’s arms, it doesn’t matter that it was innocent. Her father and brothers give them no choice.
Marriage.
Maura’s hope for wedded bliss wavers when the many lasses at the keep who had spent time in her new husband’s bed begin to harass her and cause her trouble. They try their best to make her miserable, flirting openly with Conall. Can she be certain that her husband has given up his libertine ways? Or is she doomed to spend her life with a man she can never trust?
Then things get worse. . .
Romance Historical [Self Published, On Sale: April 8, 2022, e-Book, / ]
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About Callie Hutton
USA Today bestselling author, Callie Hutton, is the author of more than fifty historical romance books and historical cozy mysteries. She writes humorous and spicy Regency and Victorian with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). With close to a million novels sold and translated into several languages, she continues to entrance readers with her heartfelt stories.
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