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…

Hi, readers, I’m Callie Hutton, author of over 45 books, almost all historical. My latest release, A Scot to Wed is the second book in my Scottish Hearts series from Entangled Publishing. Mistress Katie Sterling has what she believes is proof that her mother’s family was cheated out the MacDuff Clan’s lands and castle many years ago. She has arrived to claim it waving an old, faded document. Evan McNeil has legally inherited the unwanted responsibility of running the MacDuff clan and tenants. He has his own clan to take care of miles from the MacDuff land. However, when he meets Katie on the road to the castle, with her so-called proof, he is determined to do his duty to his inherited clan and squelch any claim that Katie has. His ancestors had fewer problems when they fought for their land using crossbows and boiling oil. They didn’t want to bed the enemy. A – is for all the problems Evan has inherited along with the MacDuff clan. * S – is for Scottish honor, which Evan has, so he will not relinquish the castle and lands to an usurper no matter how many times she waves that paper in…

I’ve known bestselling author Callie Hutton for several years, but with the internet age, we actually just met face to face a few years back. She’s a wonderful writer, a fabulous person and an inspiration to anyone who’s wanting to mix things up a bit in their lives. She’s proof that you can take your career in a different direction and continue to produce a great product. Everyone could use a bit of inspiration from people like Callie right now! Kym: Welcome to the Cozy Corner, Callie! Callie: Thank you for having me, Kym. I’m excited to be here. You’re a bestselling historical romance writer, what made you decide to switch genres into historical cozy mysteries? Several of my historical romances had mysteries in them. I enjoy adding that to a romance. Then I wrote one that was true to the cozy mystery genre as well as romance that was part of one of my self published Victorian series. I sent it to my agent and she immediately asked me to give her a proposal for a cozy mystery series. I did that and Crooked Lane contracted the series.  What did you find to be the hardest part about switching to…

A list of my top ten heroes. Some of them are book heroes, some of them are real live people, some from movies, but they are all swoon-worthy to me. Either because of looks, strength of character, personality, alpha-ness, and how they treat women. They are not in any particular order. 1. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Either Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyn, or the character as you imagine him from the book. 2. Rhett Butler. Definitely as I imagined him from the book, because although most women love Clark Gable, I could never see him in that role. 3. Indiana Jones. Love how Harrison Ford played that character in all the movies. 4. The Duke of Manchester from my book, The Duke’s Quandary. You’ll have to read the ending of that book to know why I love him as a hero. 5. Will Smith. Aside from being a really nice guy—from those who know—he plays great heroes in his movies. And looks pretty good, too. 6. Shrek… I know, but it’s my list. 7. Superman. Need I say more? 8. Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird. A true hero for his time. 9. Jon Snow from Game of Thrones…

My new book, THE PURSUIT OF MRS. PENNYWORTH takes place in the fall of 1888 in London, England. If that date seems notable, it is because that was when Jack the Ripper was wreaking havoc in White Chapel, one of the worst sections of London at the time. With a degree in Education and History, doing research, while absolutely necessary, can be a time suck for me. Once I find a subject I need to learn a few facts about, hours later I am oftentimes still reading and googling for more information. (The research black hole) Thus became the overload of data I uncovered about Jack the Ripper. While the actions of Jack the Ripper don’t have a direct effect in my story about a widow who is being stalked, it does impact the plot. Mrs. Charlotte Pennyworth is receiving disturbing packages on her front steps. When she goes to the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) they deny her help because Jack the Ripper is keeping them busy. The police officer she speaks with indicates she probably has an admirer, she is in no danger, and should enjoy the attention. Charlotte then turns to Mr. Elliot Baker, a private investigator to…

“History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies.” Alexis de Tocqueville I love reading historical romance and have since I cracked open the cover of GONE WITH THE WIND as a teenager. Unlike my boring history classes, here was history worth reading. At first I skimmed over the battles, but then as I continued on with the book, I read more and more of the actual history contained in the story. This book was about people. Those who lost loved ones, those who waited at home for a letter, for some indication that their husband, brother, father or son was still alive. Fiction? Yes. GONE WITH THE WIND is a work of fiction, but what happened to Scarlett O’Hara, et al, was based on real life events. Babies were born during the height of battle. Plantations were burned to the ground, and thousands, both black and white, were left homeless, adrift in a world turned completely upside down. I closed that book with a sigh of pleasure, and then followed up with the story of Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr. That led me to read the stories of the other five wives….

I recently joined a new group of historical romance authors. Our intention in forming the group was to raise awareness of historical romance books. Too many readers pass us by because they believe ‘historical’ romance is too bland, too filled with boring historical facts, and too ‘old.’ Like a lot of other—especially girls—students, I loathed history class in school. All those boring, boring stories of wars, battles, political intrigue, and memorization of dates, really turned me off. I ploughed through my history classes with fingertips holding up my eyelids to keep from falling asleep. Then, a few years after I left high school, I picked up an historical fiction book about the sixth wife of Henry VIII. I was fascinated, and embarrassed now, to say I had not really heard much about Henry VIII. In America, it’s hard enough to get through our boring history, without having to suffer through another country’s. I went back to the library, and looked up more by the same author, and lo and behold, she had written about all six of his unfortunate wives. I read each one, not realizing at the time that I was reading ‘history.’ That began my love affair with…

Driving to the supermarket the other day, the song “I Need a Hero,” from the movie Shrek played on the radio. As I sang along—hoping no one could hear me—it got me thinking about what actually makes a hero? Those of us who write romance can spout off hero qualities at the drop of a hat. (Boy would my editor slap my hand for that cliché.) We’ll tell you he is handsome, tall, muscular, honorable, a great lover, kind, gentle, strong . . . You get the picture. These are the kinds of heroes we dream about. The hero who will arrive on his white horse, sweep us (literally and figuratively) off our feet as we ride into the sunset to our happily ever after. But what about real life heroes? And I’m not even talking about the men you see on the news who rescue children from burning buildings, or save a woman from attack. Sure, they definitely fall into the category of heroes, but I’m thinking of a more subtle, will never make the front page of a newspaper hero. The ones we encounter in our everyday life. Maybe the one you face over the breakfast table each…