Hi, Leanne. Welcome to Fallen Angels Reviews. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. Congratulations on your first release, Highland Wishes!

Thank you. It is a pleasure to speak with you. I love your website.

Tell us about Highland Wishes?

Highland Wishes takes place during the Scottish War for Independence of 1296 and 1297. A young Highlander finds out his father has been murdered by the butchering English and decides to take his revenge in kind. After the carnage, he kidnaps his enemy's daughter, whisking her away to his Highland castle, where they begin to wage their own war - a battle of wills and emotions.

It seems as if a lot of research went to the creation of this book. Do you enjoy researching for your stories or do you consider it a necessary evil?

I absolutely love doing research. History fascinates me. I actually researched the era and battles for an entire year before I ever started writing Highland Wishes. I wanted to get a feel of the people and times, and wanted the history portion of the book to be as accurate as possible.

What was the inspiration behind Grant and Tory's story?

I once worked with a lady who was a victim of spousal abuse. Watching her get through every day had a great impact on me. I wanted to bring out some of that in my story, but not have it spousal abuse. (After all, Grant would NEVER beat a woman!) The one thing I wanted my heroine to do that my associate did not do was fight back (literally, not physically). My associate was willing to accept her lot - Tory on the other hand is a winner, because she does something to try to change her life. I also wanted to bring out the person of Andrew deMoray. We were all introduced to William Wallace in Braveheart, but deMoray has been a forgotten hero. He was just as important - if not more so - to Scotland's War for Independence, but because he died a few months after the main battle, he has been totally forgotten.

When you wrote their characters, did you base them on anyone in particular?

Actually, I didn't (other than the abuse issue above). I needed a liaison between William Wallace and Andrew deMoray, so I got out a map of Scotland and picked a location I thought would be between the two. I chose Clan Drummond and began to do research on them. On one of our visits to Scotland my husband, Tom, and I actually visited Drummond Castle. It has the most absolutely gorgeous gardens. Once I figured out the plot I wanted, the main characters just seemed to write themselves. It was like they were telling me what they wanted to do.

How long have you been writing?

Not counting research, it took me three years to write Highland Wishes. I have loved to write since I was in elementary school, though. (A reeeeeeeeally long time ago.)

Who are your favorite authors? Anyone that helped inspire you to begin writing?

Diana Gabaldon is by far my favorite author, and it was reading her Outlander series that made me start writing again. I had put that love aside for far too many years. Other favorite authors of Scottish historicals (my absolute favorites) are: Mallory Burgess, Marsha Canham, Hannah Howell, Susan King, Lynn Kurland, and Christina Skye. My favorite authors who write other venues besides Scottish historicals are: Shannon Drake, Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, and Kathleen Woodiwiss. My list is actually so long, it could go on and on. My house looks like a library.

Do you have a favorite hobby that you enjoy when you need to relax?

If I'm staying home and want to relax, I will pick up a book and start reading. The other thing I might do is to either watch an old romantic movie (like An Affair to Remember) or listen to my Elvis CDs. (I have almost all his CDs and all his movies.) Since we only live a few hours away, my favorite thing to do when I'm away from home is to visit Disney World.

Can you describe for us a typical day at your house?

A typical day for me is to get up and go to work - for the State of Florida. I spend a good portion of my day doing graphic designs; I love creating things. My husband is retired, so I am fortunate enough to have him do all the cooking. When I come home, dinner is ready! He is wonderful. After dinner, I either start working on my manuscript or do something that will help with book promotion. When I first started writing, I never realized how much is involved in promoting a book after it is finished!!!

I know that you love Scotland and Scottish history. What was it that attracted you?

I initially got interested in Scottish history by doing my husband's genealogy. From there I started doing on-line searches of past battles. The history fascinated me and it seemed to be telling me, "Write about me." So I am. Since I spent so much time doing research for Highland Wishes, my husband decided I needed to see all the places I was studying about, so he took me to Scotland. I fell in love with the country instantly. It is absolutely gorgeous and the people are really friendly. We have now been there three times, and have made some wonderful friends over there. I've visited oodles of castles, and have dozens of ideas for books I want to write. We also visited Ireland once so I could do some research for a potential Viking saga I hope to write.

I read that you love to go to Disney World often. What is your favorite ride and why?

I know everyone will think I am crazy (my family certainly does), but my favorite ride is It's a Small World. I fell in love with the ride when my children were little - and guess I just never grew up. (And yes, for those of you who have been there, I even like the song!) My next favorite ride would be Splash Mountain. I could actually do without the big drop that everyone else rides it for, but I love the scenes inside that are taken from the old movie Song of the South. I regret that most people today have no idea where characters like the delightful Brer Rabbit come from, since they've never been able to see the movie.

You are currently working on The Highlander, which will be sequel to Highland Wishes.
Can you give us a sneak peek?

The Highlander picks up six years later and focuses on Grant's best friend, Duncan. The man who plays the field in Highland Wishes meets his match in the sequel. But can he win her love? It also introduces Scotland's king, Robert the Bruce, and the trials he encountered trying to become - and to stay - king.

Is there anything you would like to add before we close?

While my books are first and foremost romances, I hope they will also help to bring history alive for my readers. Also, while I consciously made the decision not to write Christian romances, my faith and my family are the most important things in my life. We have two grown children, a son and a daughter, of whom we could not be more proud, and two absolutely delightful grandchildren. (I'd say they're my excuse to go to Disney World, but I don't need one. Tom and I actually like going there by ourselves.)

Once again thank you so much for talking to us. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming projects.

Thank you! I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to speak with you and introduce myself to your wonderful audience.

If you would like to read an excerpt from Highland Wishes, visit Leanne's website.

Interviewed by:
Kathi