Meet Anne Greene, author of 'Marriage by Arrangement'

What was the inspiration behind this book?

Masquerade Marriage inspired Marriage by Arrangement. This is the second book in the Scottish Marriage Trilogy series. The Golden Goddess of Castle Drummond, Lady Cailin MacMurry, is the older sister of Lady Megan MacMurry. Lady Cailin and the Duke of Avondale turned out to be such compelling characters in my first Scottish book, they insisted on a book of their own. Marriage by Arrangement is that book. Fiona MacCauley, Brody MacCauley’s younger sister, will star in her own book which may be titled Marriage to a Rogue.

How much do you have in common with the main character?

I have almost nothing in common with Lady Cailin MacMurry. I am not rich, not a first born, not accustomed to living in a castle filled with servants, and was not compelled to marry a man I had met but once. Nor is my personality like Lady Cailin’s in the slightest. She’s a nurturing, loving person whom everyone adores…that’s why she’s so confused when her new husband doesn’t love her. Lady Cailin is beautiful and content to live out her life in her ancestral home. When she faces the difficulties of her marriage she discovered depths in herself she doesn’t like. She reaches a point where she must decide if she should have her husband murdered. Not like me at all.

What is one of your favorite scenes?

Some of my favorite scenes are the ones behind closed doors where Lady Cailin learns what marriage is all about. I also love the over-the-top scenes where Duke Avondale does crazy things.

What kind of research did you have to do?

Most of my research was already done with Masquerade Marriage. I spent three weeks in Scotland, took pictures, and recorded the ambiance. I fell in love with the country, with the people, and with the story I started in Masquerade Marriage and continued in Marriage By Arrangement. Both stories relate the Scottish side of events, but Marriage By Arrangement spends more time with the English perspective of events. I’m of Scottish ancestry so I’ve done a great deal of research into my background and roots. I love the sound of bagpipes and include them in both stories. It is possible to read Marriage By Arrangement and enjoy the book and understand it completely without first reading Masquerade Marriage, but I recommend for maximum enjoyment that you read both.

What is so appealing about historical romance for writers? For readers?

I dearly love doing the research for historical romances. I think readers find reading historical romances especially fulfilling because they not only get a fine story, they also receive a good bit of information about the era, the customs, and the history of a time period. I also love going back to a simpler time without the noise and interruption of social media.

If you could go back in time, where would you go and why?

I would only want to go back in time if I were going back as a wealthy person. Poor people, and especially women, had a tough life back in historic times. So as a wealthy person, which I am not, I would choose to return to the roaring twenties. The majority of people were prosperous, after WWI and before WWII. New inventions brought easier living and women lived with less social restrictions. Jazz music and dancing, light hearts and great expectations for the future prevailed. Life opened up for women with the chance to vote. And, I would know about the coming stock market crash, so could get my cash out and invest it in land. Wouldn’t it be fun to go back to almost any time in history and know how to make a fortune because you knew future events?

You love to travel, and have even visited Scotland, where this book takes place. What is one of your favorite travel memories?

We spent the night at a bed and breakfast in Scotland out on the moors. We watched two border collies round up a herd of sheep and take them to their home pasture without any assistance at all from their owner. That night we slept with the windows open. Outside that herd of sheep pastured just below our window. We were lulled to sleep with the baa, baa of sheep under a moonlit night. So very different from anything we experience here in Texas.

Where else would you still like to visit?

I’d love to explore South America. I watch the travel channel all the time, but there is not much on showing South America. We speak Spanish fairly well and love some of the Spanish artists and the architecture. And of course love Spanish food. And I’d love to learn some of those Spanish dances. Did I tell you I learned Belly Dancing while I was in Turkey for six months?

I was also born in Ohio. I always loved the countryside and the Toledo Museum of Art. What are some of your recommendations for visitors to the Buckeye State?

Beautiful Ohio. I just love driving through the country and seeing the golden waves of grain and the tall stalks of corn. But then, here in Texas we don’t see that. They say they have trees here in Texas. I call them bushes privately. Texas is a grand state, but Ohio is beautiful. I suggest visitors stop at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and visit the museum there. I write about WWII and the planes women flew and tested, so that museum is especially interesting to me.

You currently reside in Dallas, Texas. Again, what are some of your recommended destinations?

Hmmn. Where to go in Dallas??? Dallas has a fantastic night life. I don’t join it, I just read about it. The restaurants are fabulous. The best museums are in Ft. Worth which is part of the Dallas-Ft Worth metroplex. I love visiting Ft. Worth because that’s the cowboy side of DFW. Look for anything cowboy and western and you go to Ft. Worth. Anything upscale, romantic, and artsy you find in Dallas. Our churches are the best in the world. We are the buckle of the Bible belt, and we have mega-churches with any kind of music you want. We have a gorgeous arboretum and aquarium. But the best thing you’ll find in Dallas is the people. Talk about southern hospitality. People here are the main attraction. Wonderful people who have transported here from every state in the Union and adopted our welcome you’al, come on over and visit philosophy.

Please tell us about your other publications.

Beside Masquerade Marriage and Marriage By Arrangement, A Texas Christmas Mystery is also published by Pelican Book Group. The mystery is set in Galveston, Texas. A lady Coastguardsman searches for a killer. An oil rig troubleshooter accused of murder races to clear his name. The murderer strives to silence them both.

As Amber seeks to arrest Derrick, sparks fly.

Amber Meredith needs to solve her first case. But the handsome Cajun suspect makes her heart race and her toes tingle.

Derrick Darbonne worked all his life for his high-paying, adventurous job. When his past threatens his future, will he endanger the woman he loves?

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

Like most writers, I’m an introvert. How else does a person spend hours alone in a room with a computer and only the characters in her head as companions? But I do enjoy teaching writing and giving classes in writing. You’ll find an on-line writing class with a new lesson every two weeks at http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’d love for you to join me either at http://www.christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com. Or at my writing class. I love talking with fans at both places and I give opportunities to win one of my books. You can also visit me at http://www/AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

Thank you so much for your time!

Marriage by Arrangement
by Anne Greene

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

A MARRIAGE COVENANT

Why does a handsome, powerful noble of the highest rank in England stoop to marry a mere Lady of Lowland Scotland?

A GREAT SECRET

Are the whispered stories about him true? With his shadowy past and strange behavior, what awful secret does he hide? Each change of clothes transforms him into a different man.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

Can Lady Cailin keep her vow to make her marriage happy and successful, unlike that of her parents, or must she arrange for the Duke's accidental death?

Read an excerpt:

Avondale sauntered from the smoking room after deliberately losing a game of whist to his father-in-law and, as was now his habit, headed for Loch Drummond.

His nightly trek to the loch gave him time to reflect. Two weeks had passed since he made his vows and surely God had abandoned him.

He opened the back castle door. A burst of cool night air washed over him. He lifted his chin and pulled in a deep breath filled with the taste of bracing, country air. How could he face his beautiful bride? Each night brought more torture.

But tonight he would return to Cailin, otherwise the woman wouldn’t sleep. And he would again permit the sweet innocent to read the Bible to him, but he would sit across the room in the shadows.

At first he’d been angry when he discovered the strength of Cailin’s faith, then he’d felt indulgent. Why not allow her this pleasure when he must deny her so many others? He lengthened his stride until his boots thundered over the marshy moor. Her faith had yet to be tried, so, of course, she held to her naive belief. He fisted his hands. But reading the Bible couldn’t help him. Nothing and no one could.

His frown softened. Yet her turquoise eyes sparkled and her creamy complexion glowed when she defended the faith he questioned. And he’d grown to appreciate the intelligence behind the beauty of her angelic face. He beat one fist against the other. Why could he not be like other men?

She knew exactly who she was. She was bright and shining, inside and out. Sure of herself. Secure in her world, whether inside the castle or out with the common folk. He heaved a sigh. Would that he had that ability. He growled deep in his throat. Since he’d wed, the darkness had grown worse. How much longer could he hide his past from Cailin?

He’d silenced her questions with anger he barely controlled. And turned a stony face from her hurt.

He’d hoped being away from court and living inside the MacMurry castle would help. Of course it hadn’t. He walked a tightrope. One wrong step and he’d tumble to his death. And he’d take sweet Cailin with him. He should never have married.

Yet he must produce a legal male heir.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement released November, 2013. A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com. Or at http://www.Amazon.com. Visit http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com for information on writing an award-winning novel. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene. Visit Anne’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/annewgreene?fref=ts

Anne will be awarding a digital copy of Masquerade Marriage – book one in the series, to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop during the tour, and a Grand Prize of a 20.00 GC to the Pelican Book Group website to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!