I’m always keen to broaden my reading horizons and so I’m very please to welcome Tammy Andresen to Linda’s Book Bag today to tell me a little about her Taming the Heart series of books as they belong to a genre I don’t often read. Taming A Duke’s Wild Rose from the series is available from your local Amazon site and you’ll find all Tammy’s books for purchase here.

Taming A Duke’s Wild Rose

Since the death of her mother, Lady Rose Wentworth has dreamed of a hero. A knight or soldier who sweeps her off her feet and heals the scars she hides within. These fantasies cloud her judgement when it comes to a man’s true nature and every suitor she pines for proves to be less than honorable. But Rose is convinced she has finally found a true hero in the soldier, Carl Lundberg.

Fearing for Rose’s future, her father arranges a match with the scarred duke. Powerful and rich beyond reason, Lord Wentworth is convinced this is the man who can provide a real future for his daughter. But Rose knows better, or so she thinks. Now she is caught between two men, one handsome and dashing, the other scarred but intriguing none-the-less. As each vies for her hand, Rose finds it more difficult to discern whose intentions are pure.

The more Rose is entangled in the web of love and marriage the more she questions which man has the true heart and who can unlock hers.

An Interview with Tammy Andreson

Hi Tammy. Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some questions on my blog about your writing. Firstly, please could you tell me a little about yourself?

I am a mom of three girls and a love of romance! After leaving my career as an English teacher, I decided to try my hand at writing. It has been amazing!

And tell me a little about Taming A Duke’s Wild Rose (without spoiling the plot!).

Rose is a sweet but naïve girl who wants a hero to save her from the pain of her past. But she has a knack for looking in all the wrong places. Her father, fearing for her future, arranges a marriage with the scarred duke.

This book is the second book in the Taming the Heart series, though each is a standalone. The third book, Taming a Laird’s Wild Lady comes out on 17th January!

(Taming a Laird’s Wild Lady is available for pre-order here.)

There’s a lovely pun in the title Taming A Duke’s Wild Rose given that your protagonist is called Rose. How do you choose the titles of your books?

Being an English teacher, I couldn’t resist the pun!

I don’t often read romance so how would you persuade me to try your books?

I love all genres of books and movies and you will see influences of other genres in my work. My books tend to have more action than a great number of romances, suspense and a dash of mystery.

What draws you to historical romance as a genre?

It’s what I love to read most so it was a natural place to start writing.

How do you go about researching detail and ensuring your books are realistic?

It takes a lot of research. I pick a setting first and do some cursory reading and create a reference library for each book but then I have to go back and cross check little details. Just today, I was researching the history of a bride not seeing her groom on her wedding day. It is a tradition that dates back to arranged marriages. The bride’s father didn’t want to give the groom a reason to back out!!

How tricky is it to retain authenticity of setting whilst appealing to a modern reader?

I get better with each book I write. Setting and clothing are what appeal to a lot of readers, dialogue can be very tricky. It’s easy to slip into modern speech and each reader has a different level of expectation. While I make sure to use historically accurate vocabulary, it is a difficult balancing act.

I know you were brought up listening to storied told by you mother. How has that experience influenced your writing?

It just made me love stories. I try not to get too lost in dreaming them up, the dishes still need to get done!

When did you first realise you were going to be a writer?

A year ago… LOL. In all seriousness, I never thought it would actually happen. It was like winning the lottery or a trip to Africa. When I started the first book, I wondered if I would finish it. I feel truly fortunate to be a writer.

If you hadn’t become an author, what would you have done instead as a creative outlet?

Teaching. I loved creating curriculum. I miss it but I would miss writing more. If they add more hours into the day, I would love to do both.

Which aspects of your writing do you find easiest and most difficult?

Reviewers over and over talk about my character development. A classic English education, means I can’t just tell a love story. The characters must overcome their own flaws and grow into more self-realized people.

What are your writing routines and where do you do most of your writing?

On the couch. I write all day but in half hour spurts. Partly because I my brain needs a break. With even a short break my creativity perks back up. But also because life as a mom has a lot of interruptions!

When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?

Romance, romance, romance! It helps me to be a better writer and I love it!

If you could choose to be a character from one of your books, who would you be and why?

Hmmmm…. My newest character Isla, from Taming a Laird’s Wild Lady challenges the strictures of society with her competence and spirit. Love her!!!

If Taming A Duke’s Wild Rose became a film, who would you like to play Rose and why would you choose them?

Oh gosh. Amanda Seyfried has that vulnerable beauty that would work for Rose!

Thank you so much for your time in answering my questions.

So wonderful to chat with you!!!

About Tammy Andresen

Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachussetts. Her childhood was spent on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy spent many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

You can visit Tammy’s website, or find her on Facebook, Amazon and Goodreads. You can follow Tammy on Twitter.