Fresh Fiction: If you could only recommend one of your books to romance readers who are unfamiliar with your work, which would you recommend? And why?
Mary Jo Putney: Hmm, tough question! Maybe LOVING A LOST LORD. It’s the first book in my Lost Lords series, and it sets up the framework for the rest of the series. The heroes of all seven books attended the Westerfield Academy for boys of “good birth and bad behavior.” The founder, Lady Agnes Westerfield, helps boys who are having trouble fitting into the niches they were born to. She teaches them how to be themselves without losing their souls. The hero of this first book, Adam Lawford, the Duke of Ashton, is half Hindu and has to deal with resentment and prejudice. Then a steamboat explosion leaves him half drowned and amnesiac in northern England, where he is found by a desperate young woman who needs a pretend husband for protection….
FF: Scotland is the setting for your regency romance ONCE A LAIRD. What do you like about this setting? And what is so captivating about a hot Scottish hero?
MJP: This story was inspired by a wonderful visit to Orkney, one of the island groups north of mainland Scotland. Both Orkney and Shetland are more Nordic that Celtic, and they have masses of fascinating history. I did a fictionalized version of Orkney that I called Thorsay so I’d have more freedom to invent. I’ve always been fascinated by wild, remote northern places, and Orkney was a wonderful inspiration for such a setting.
FF: In ONCE A LAIRD, Kai and Signy have history. I love when a hero and heroine have history together. What appeals to you as a writer about writing a couple with a shared past?
MJP: I like such stories also because they lend complexity to the characters, What was their relationship in the past? Was there anger, attraction, resentment? Misunderstanding? A sense of betrayal? All of those past emotions must be dealt with before it’s possible to build a strong, loving relationship for the future.
FF: Does this past they have together cause friction between them most of the story? Or do they connect early in the story and work together against a common foe or obstacle? What is their dynamic like?
MJP: There was friction at the beginning! Signy was the younger sister of Gisela, Ramsay’s youthful sweetheart. They’d planned to marry when he finished university, but she died. Heartbroken, Ramsay sets off to explore the world and seek ancient ruins. When his grandfather is failing, Ramsay returns and meets Signy, who has become the old laird’s right hand. There was a mystery about Gisela’s death, and Signy blamed Ramsay. They sort that out fairly soon, but there is lingering resentment on Signy’s side, and they have different goals. He is committed to taking over the leadership of Thorsay while she want to travel and see some of the world. So yes, they issues to sort out!
FF: Tell me about your story When Strangers Meet in the anthology A YULETIDE KISS.
MJP: It’s a lovely anthology! It was done with Madeline Hunter and Sabrina Jeffries, two other Kensington Regency authors, and all three stories were set in the same location, a country inn where everyone is snowed in. So the characters inhabit the same space and interact with each other. We exchanged masses of emails as we worked out floor plans, menus, servants, and events. It was a lot of work, but readers seem to love the result.
My particular story features Daniel Faringdon, who is returning to England after many years working in India. And the first person he meets as he shakes off the snow is Kate Macleod, who recognizes him because they may or may not have married in Bombay seven years before. Complications ensue! During the course of the story, Kate rescues a fluffy gray kitten from the snow, who is directly inspired my very own Princess Flufferbella, who turned up in the backyard of a cat rescuer on a very cold January night. Art imitates life.
FF: A few authors I’ve interviewed in the past have told me that the kind of thing they read is different than the kind of thing they write. What do you enjoy reading? Favorite books? Authors?
MJP: Having spent so many years writing historical romance, I do prefer other kinds of books for my leisure reading. I’ve always enjoyed fantasy and science fiction, usually written by women who create strong female characters. Lately I’ve been enjoying Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland Vampires series, and usually I have zero interest in vampires! I love Sharon Shinn and Patricia Briggs, and any romantic suspense by Jayne Ann Krentz under any of her three writing names. I also like mysteries that have good characterization and not much gore, Bonus points if they’re set in early twentieth century Britain.
FF: What are you currently working on?
MJP: I’m working on the first book of a new series that is unrelated to any previous books. It’s set in Cornwall in 1803 – and that’s all I want to say about it! But in March 2023, Kensington will re-release a lightly edited version of a very early book of mine, LADY OF FORTUNE. It was only the second book I ever wrote, which is why I did some editing to remove some of the extra words, but the story hasn’t changed. Very few people ever read it and my editor loved it when I sent her a copy. I’m delighted that the story will get a new audience.
Thanks so much for interviewing me, Miranda. Like most authors, I love talking about my books!
ONCE A LAIRD by Mary Jo Putney
Rogues Redeemed #6
An Exciting and Enchanting Historical Regency Romance
After the death of his fiancée, Kai Ramsay left Scotland to roam distant lands. He has searched ancient ruins, collected priceless antiquities, and escaped certain death after being imprisoned as a spy during the Napoleonic War. Ramsay has lived on the edge of danger for years—but everything changes the day a letter arrives for him from Scotland . . .
Signy Matheson has dedicated her life to the people of Scotland’s remote Thorsay Islands. With a fiery spirit and agile mind, she is a faithful ally to the aging laird. But now their leader is near death, and Signy must summon his successor at once. It’s time for Kai Ramsay to come home . . .
When Ramsay returns to Thorsay, he’s shocked to find that Signy has blossomed into an alluring beauty, and a force to be reckoned with. Their complicated past interferes with their unspoken desire as they work together for their people. Until a wild storm sparks first passion, then unexpected danger when a treasure trove left by their ancestors comes to light . . .
Romance Historical [Zebra, On Sale: October 26, 2021, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781420148121 / eISBN: 9781420148152]
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About Mary Jo Putney
Mary Jo Putney is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has written over 60 novels and novellas. A ten-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won the honor twice and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. In 2013 she was awarded the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Though most of her books have been historical romance, she has also published contemporary romances, historical fantasy, and young adult paranormal historicals.
She lives in Maryland with her nearest and dearest, both two and four footed. Visit her at her website.
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