Guest(s) Theresa Romain & Mr. Romain + Giveaway

Hello friends! As you see we have the delightful Theresa Romain visiting us again today, and this time she brought her husband along too!

Season for ScandalLime, thanks for hosting me today! I’m here to chat a bit about Season for Scandal, the third historical romance in my Holiday Pleasures series. This is a marriage of convenience/marriage in trouble story, and it just hit stores last Tuesday (October 1).

Last fall when I visited ALBTALBS, I recruited my brother to join me. This time, I’ve brought another special guest: my patient and somewhat long-suffering husband, whom we’ll call Mr. R.

TR: How do you feel about serving my nefarious purpose this year?

Mr. R: I’m a little concerned about your use of the word “nefarious,” but okay.

TR: You should be used to it. We’ve been married for a while.

Which is a nice segue into my first thought-provoking, profound, and (of course) nefarious question. What’s the best thing about being married to a romance writer?

Mr. R: The best would be the glamorous trips to exotic speaking engagements and book signings and (chuckles)…just kidding. Let’s see. What would be the best? (unconscionably long pause) I guess the best thing is that you get to do something you enjoy, and that makes you happy, and that makes me happy.

TR: Aw. That’s nice. And what’s the worst?

Mr. R: The worst thing is that when you have a deadline, you feel you have to work in the evenings as well.

TR: Thank you for not mentioning that I turn into a raging space loon at that time as well.

Mr. R: Another “worst thing” might be when I tell you a criticism of your work.

TR: Hey! I only asked for one!

Season for SurrenderBut that gives us another segue—nicely done. You’re always my first reader, which means you were the first person to read the clunky early draft Season for Scandal. The hero and heroine, Jane and Edmund, actually appeared in my previous historical romance, Season for Surrender. How was it to see them shoved together in a marriage of convenience in Season for Scandal?

Mr. R: When I read Season for Surrender, it was clear that Jane would be the heroine of the next book. I was surprised to know that Edmund would be the hero—but it makes sense for them to be together because Edmund seemed to enjoy a flair for drama and Jane *caused* drama. Wherever she went, whatever she did.

TR: She still does that in Season for Scandal. Poor Jane; she thinks being married to a man she’s always loved is the answer to her dreams. But that’s not exactly how their marriage of convenience works out. Did that make you uneasy when I tortured my married characters? I kind of felt bad about that.

Mr. R: I don’t think you tortured the characters. They both had to deal with reality. They both had been deeply caught up in fantasy before they married, and they had to learn that in a real marriage, it’s not always like the fantasy.

Unlike our marriage, of course, which is like a waking fantasy each and every day.

TR: I would believe you more if you hadn’t snickered while you said that.

But thanks, that’s what I was going for. In Jane and Edmund’s story, a wedding isn’t the end of the road to happily-ever-after; it’s only the beginning. Their marriage hits a serious rough patch, and they have to learn their way through it (and get embroiled in a scandal along the way). Minus the scandal—maybe—I think that’s the way it is for most real-life couples.

Unlike our marriage, of course, which is like a waking fantasy each and every day.

Mr. R: Exactly.

Theresa RomainTR: So, ok. Let’s wrap this puppy up on a high note. What’s your favorite scene from Season for Scandal?

Mr. R: My favorite scene is definitely the first chapter. I thought it was a great introduction to Jane’s character. It had drama, suspense, comedy, and intrigue. I would have ended up reading the rest of the book even if I weren’t married to the author.

TR: That’s all I can ask!

Thanks for joining me for this interview. You were a very good sport. I tried to type your words accurately and never throw in a rogue OMG THERESA YOU ARE AWESOME.

Mr. R: OMG THERESA YOU ARE AWESOME. There. I actually said it. [TR: He really did, in a calm, serious voice. It was pretty much the best thing I’ve ever heard.]

*    *    *

Want to read that first chapter of Season for Scandal? You can find it on my website here.

And now for a book giveaway! Jane and Edmund first appear in Season for Surrender, the second Holiday Pleasures romance. I’ll give away a copy of Season for Surrender—winner’s choice of print or digital—to one random commenter. International entrants are welcome.

So what questions do you have for Theresa or Mr. Romain? Also, just so you know about the book… Season for Scandal

UNLADYLIKE RISK
Jane Tindall has never had money of her own or exceptional beauty. Her gifts are more subtle: a mind like an abacus, a talent for play-acting—and a daring taste for gambling. But all the daring in the world can’t help with the cards fixed against her. And when Edmund Ware, Baron Kirkpatrick, unwittingly spoils her chance to win a fortune, her reputation is ruined too. Or so she thinks, until he suggests a surprising mode of escape: a hasty marriage. To him. On the surface, their wedding would seem to satisfy all the demands of proper society, but as the Yuletide approaches, secrets and scandals turn this proper marriage into a very improper affair.

Sounds good doesn’t it? And come on – get chatty, because technically we have two guests here today! 😀

39 thoughts on “Guest(s) Theresa Romain & Mr. Romain + Giveaway

  1. Cathy P

    How did the two of you meet, and how long did you date before getting married. Also, did Mr. Romain pop the question or did you just know you would marry without being asked?

    Reply
  2. Theresa Romain

    Hi, Cathy! We met through a graduate program in history. After we dated for about four months, Mr. R unintentionally proposed to me in the highly romantic setting of a Ford Taurus while we were driving to a department meeting. He idly mentioned that he’d like me to move in with him–oh, and get married, of course. (He admitted later that he didn’t mean to propose at that time, in that way, but since it happened and I said yes, it really took the stress off the whole situation.) We planned our wedding superfast to fit between semesters of grad school; it was about 5 months after the proposal.

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Denise, that is a tricky question. 🙂 Mr. R would probably like it if I say yes, but truthfully, I’ve never modeled a character after him on purpose. But a lot of the things I like about Mr. R are also things I like about my heroes: a good sense of humor, respect for women, and (of course!) handsomeness.

      Reply
  3. Sharlene Wegner

    I really need to read this whole series. Can’t believe I am so behind – story of my life. I am assuming Little Miss R gets her sense of humor from both of you? Loved your dialogue!

    Reply
  4. Marcy Shuler

    I had to go back and read the interview with your brother before I read this one, Theresa. LOL

    I saw your answer about the proposal, so how long have you two been in this waking fantasy of a marriage? 😉

    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Marcy, one of these days my family will tell me “no” when I ask for help with a blog post. Until then, I’m enjoying myself. 🙂 Mr. R and I will have our 10th anniversary in…whoa, less than 3 months. We should probably plan to do something awesome, huh?

      Reply
  5. Diane P. Diamond

    I absolutely loved the camaraderie between you and your hubby in this interview. You’re very lucky that he’s so supportive of your work,

    I love your books, and can’t wait to read “Season for Scandal”. If I get lucky, I would love this in print. I’ve got your other books, and I would love to add this to my collection. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Diane, I’m very grateful that he’s so supportive. It would be much more difficult to write books without his help! Not just reading pages, but also herding Little Miss R away from my office while I’m working.

      Reply
  6. maybe31

    You and your husband are so cute. 🙂 And your daughter (from other interviews) too! 🙂

    I read the first two and loved it. I was surprised when I first read that Jane will get her book but I am sure that I’ll like it too!

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Maybe31, I hope you do like Jane’s story! Glad you enjoyed the interview. Mr. R is much quieter than Little Miss R (or my brother, for that matter), so he wasn’t sure he wanted to do an interview. But finally he agreed because I asked him 75 times. 🙂

      Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Thanks, Vanessa! Mr. R doesn’t really look anything like that picture (except for the eyebrows; I think I got the eyebrows right), but he is a handsome guy. He hasn’t seen that picture yet–he’s been traveling today. I’m looking forward to his reaction to his high-quality new portrait.

      Reply
  7. Rebe

    That is so funny that you met in a History graduat program! My husband was a history grad student and I was a Spanish grad student when we met! Did the two of you study the same period of history or different ones?

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Yay for couples that meet in grad school! Rebe, you and your husband sound like an awesome pair. How did you cross paths in your different programs?

      He studied 19th century and I was 20th with a concentration in public history (think libraries, archives, that sort of thing). So we only had one class together, and it was after we were already married! We actually met through the office shared by all the graduate teaching assistants.

      Reply
  8. sharonchalk

    Without reading the first chapter,which I will do after I respond, one so I might have a chance to win (mercenary I know) but after I check out the first chapter I may go ahead and get it,I have a feeling just going by the interview above that the book is probably tamer than I usually read,but it also reminded me of the romances when I first started reading them,now much I enjoyed watching the build up to truly loving and putting your total trust no matter what that they will be there and I think Im kinda in the mood to read something like that (though I will probably still continue to read the more spicy reads,but Im going to be reading it blind so I might be wrong about that too lol

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Hi, Sharon! I get in the mood for different types of stories at different times too. Season for Scandal isn’t a super-hot read, though it’s got a few steamy scenes. You’re exactly right, it focuses more on the build-up of love and trust in the couple’s relationship. Hope you enjoy the excerpt. 🙂

      Reply
  9. SOS Aloha/Kim in Baltimore

    Very clever! Kudos to Mr. R for being a champ! I recall reading a blog post about military personnel being portrayed as Alpha heroes. I asked my hubby, while he was shaving but dressed in his Air Combat Uniform (ACU), for his thoughts. He replied that most military men are Beta heroes because they have to work together as a team. Hurray for hubbies that support romance!

    Reply
  10. ki pha

    LOL I’m kind of late but I love reading your chats with your family members! They’re all so fascinating! Which is really funny because we make them sound like exotic circus people.(Not to offend anyone) I’m just waiting for the next member to join in these chats! Maybe Little Miss R?? Though we do see her around from your other blogs….. she’s also amazing!

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Hi, Ki–glad you enjoyed the interview! Sometimes they seem like exotic circus people to me too, but always in a good way–as in, I never know what they’ll come up with next. 🙂 Little Miss R has joined me for a few posts, but I’ve never done a formal interview with her. That could be very entertaining!

      Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Mary, I just asked him. He says, “Very good. I think they’re very tasteful. I can’t stand covers with man-boob on them; that really doesn’t work for me. But these look classic.”

      And then Little Miss R chimed in. “I think they’re pretty!”

      Reply
  11. Sarah R.

    Loved this interview, it is always fun to see the husband’s perspective. Congrats on almost ten years marriage. My husband and I will celebrate 15 years in 3 months minus a couple days, so we must have gotten married around the same time.
    I am looking forward to reading these books. I love books that deal with already married couples that have to overcome something in order to have the HEA. I won’t read this one just yet as I am one of those who has to start at the beginning of the series and haven’t read the other ones, yet.

    Reply
  12. Theresa Romain

    Sarah, congrats on your upcoming milestone anniversary! Ours is Jan. 2; what day is yours?

    Thanks for the kind words; this was my first romance featuring a married couple, and that allowed me to go in a some very different directions with the story. You can read the Season books in any order–but I do understand about wanting to read a series in order! I’m the same way.

    Reply
  13. JenM

    Hi Theresa – what a cute interview. Mr. R sounds like a very supportive hubs (the best kind). Most authors love to write and I assume you do also, but does he also have work (or a hobby) that he loves?

    Reply
  14. flchen1

    Theresa, thanks for the share–love learning more about authors and their real selves and families 🙂 Also love the sounds of the newest release–thanks for the chance to win some fun! Hope you’re having a great weekend–our weeks (and weekends!) have been crazy–do you all have any down time or are you running like mad then too?

    Reply
    1. Theresa Romain

      Ooh, good question. I can’t get out of the habit of thinking of weekends as a chance to slow down and relax–but realistically, that’s not the way they are anymore! Between taking care of Little Miss R and working toward my next book deadline, I don’t really have days off. But I’m not complaining at all; my work hours can be really flexible and that’s been great for our family.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to ki phaCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.