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

Lime, 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!

But 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.

TR: 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.]

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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…

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! 😀