A Debut Release from Marin McGinnis: Stirring Up the Viscount

Please help me welcome Marin McGinnis and her first ever novel, a Historical Romance: Stirring Up the Viscount. What an exciting time…congratulations, Marin!

Now, let’s get to know a little bit about the author and her book: (Be sure to check out her beautiful, elegant cover)

Where did you get the idea for Stirring up the Viscount?

Viscount was inspired by a few things: Downton Abbey, a BBC series called The Victorian Kitchen, and from somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain, the Julia Roberts movie Sleeping With the Enemy.

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

Theodora’s name comes from an old (1936) movie I loved, called Theodora Goes Wild, with Irene Dunne. The two Theodoras are nothing alike, but somehow it fit.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

Butt in chair.  Seriously, the hardest part of writing a book is getting the butt in my chair and writing every day.

What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?

I wrote this book very fast, in about 3 months, but I spent another 22 months editing it and adding scenes that I had glossed over when I wrote the first draft. I also spent a lot of time staring at the screen and writing nothing. The most difficult thing about it, for me, was in going back and fixing those early scenes. I learned, though, that the fast draft is not my style—I really need to write chronologically, from start to finish, with nothing major left out.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and how do you like it?

In my non-writing life I’m a lawyer. I’ve been doing it for almost twenty years so there are things I like and things I don’t like, but other than writing it’s all I know how to do. Looking forward to retirement when I can write full time!

What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do?

Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches. Don’t judge!

What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?

There are a couple of movies, and one book, that are beloved by people all over the world that I just cannot stand.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

Other than my day job? 🙂 My habit of procrastination. And Netflix. But I’m never giving up Netflix!

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

Honestly, since this is my first book I’ll be ecstatic if anyone reads it at all. 🙂

What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?

I’ve never written paranormal, but I think I’d like to one day. I’m not sure I’m creative enough, though!

What is your favorite…

Place you’ve visited – England

Place you’d like to visit – Ireland

Food – Lay’s Lightly Salted potato chips. Seriously addicted.

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?

I was never much for TV, but now that I can watch it on my iPad I binge watch like crazy.

Blurb: 

Seeking to escape an abusive husband, Theodora Ravensdale answers an ad in The Times for a job as cook in a country home. A fortuitous house fire enables her to fake her own death and flee to northern England and live under an assumed name. But Theodora’s refuge is not all she would wish, when she stirs emotions in the heir to the estate, Jonathan Tenwick, and in herself. 

Meanwhile, as the connection between Theodora and Jonathan grows, her husband learns she did not perish in the fire, and searches for her. Fearing he is close to finding her, Theodora must flee again to protect the family and the viscount for whom she cares deeply. In the final confrontation with her husband, Theodora learns she is stronger than she ever knew, and love is worth fighting for.​ 

Buy links:       The Wild Rose Press            Amazon

Excerpt: 

“Did you love him very much?” he asked quietly, afraid to know the answer. 

Her voice almost a groan, she whispered, “Please, Jonathan. Enough.” 

It was the “Enough” that was his undoing. In that single word, he heard years of torment, from a woman who clearly had not loved her husband, at least not for some time. Whoever or whatever he had been, Jonathan was certain he was the source of her fear. 

But if he were truly dead, why did she still fear him? 

 

About Marin: 

Clevelanders are tough, a bit cynical, and just a little crazy, and Marin McGinnis is no exception. She writes smart and sexy tales of Victorian-era romance.

When she’s not chasing after big dogs or watching tween-aged children skate around Ohio hockey rinks, you can find her hanging out at marinmcginnis.com, on her group blog at throughheartshapedglasses.com, on Twitter @MarinMcGinnis, or Facebook at facebook.com/MarinMcG.