Welcome to Amy Rose’s Parlour… H.C. Brown, Author
October 7 2015Multi-published, best-selling and award winning author of romance, H.C. Brown is visiting my parlour today to talk about her writing and her latest Scottish historical romance release Charmed – The MacKenzie Trilogy, Book One.
Welcome, H.C. Brown…
Amy Rose: What or who inspired you to write romantic historical fiction?
H.C. Brown: I write across a number of genres, but I read a great deal of historical fiction. So many authors wonderful stories and events in history capture my imagination.
Amy Rose: What is your writing process? (I’m 2/3 plotter, 1/3 panster)
H.C. Brown: I’m a pantser but with historical fiction I spend a lot of time researching the era to make sure I have the right flavor for my story. Then I write every day stopping only to check my historical detail or to edit and polish.
Amy Rose: What story are you working on at the moment?
H.C. Brown: I’m working on an Australian Outback Mystery Romance titled Run.
Amy Rose: That sounds exciting. Would you like to share an excerpt?
Excerpt of Run by H.C. Brown
Moving through the airport’s sliding doors and into a wall of humidity, she waited on the footpath as the other passengers climbed into cars and drove away. Perspiration tickled between her breasts and ran down her stomach to soak the waistband of her white skirt. She batted away a group of persistent flies peppering her blouse and making every effort to climb up her nose. Deciding inside had to be better than becoming an insect snack bar, she turned and dragged her bags back into the terminal. At least inside, she would be out of the sauna like conditions and enjoy the small comfort of the inadequate air conditioning.
The stark emptiness of the building unnerved her, not one person remained. She moved toward a drink dispenser and dropping her bags in a heap by her feet, searched her purse for change. She selected a bottle of water and waited for it to thump into the collection slot. Nothing happened. The next moment the machine shook violently and the plastic bottle shot from the front opening. As she bent to secure her purchase, a dark shadow fell across her path.
She staggered back and tripped over her bags waving both arms. Someone grabbed her arm and she gaped up at a tall man wearing a battered cowboy hat. Embarrassed, she straightened, intending to move past him to recover her drink. “Thank you.”
“No worries.”
His deep calming voice settled her nerves but the sight of him mesmerized her. Her gaze moved over shoulders wide enough to carry a piano, encased in a pale blue tee shirt stretched across a muscular chest, then down to jeans and dusty boots. He scooped the bottle up in one suntanned hand then held it out to her and the deepest blue eyes, she had ever seen in her life scanned her features. She stared back at his handsome face with a long straight nose and determined chin. The ragged pink scar along his jaw gave him a roguish look and didn’t detract from the animal magnetism given off by the stranger. A lock of raven hair had fallen over one eye and she had the sudden need to tuck the curl under the rim of his hat. Oh my God! You are gorgeous. Dragging her attention back to reality, she took the water, and smiled. “Thank you again.”
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Amy Rose: Do you write to a schedule (e.g. daily page/word count goal) or when the muse decides to visit?
H.C. Brown: I write to a schedule and try to write 1500 words a day.
Amy Rose: What helps you get into the mood to write?
H.C. Brown: Music, walking on the beach.
Amy Rose: Where do you get your inspiration? E.g. Are you inspired by people, places or actual historical events?
H.C. Brown: Historical events. I studied history and its part of my life. Sorting through old documents is my kind of fun.
Amy Rose: Do you have a particular period of history you are passionate about?
H.C. Brown: I like the Georgian Era. So many things happened in this time, it is a font of inspiration for me. Wars, historical characters, scandals..what more could I ask for?
Amy Rose: Who is your favorite historical ‘go-to’ author or what is your favorite historical romance book of all time?
H.C. Brown: Diana Gabaldon and the Outlander Series.
Amy Rose: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
H.C. Brown: Walking on the beach with my husband.
Amy Rose: What is your greatest extravagance?
H.C. Brown: A mint condition 1877 English Sovereign.
Amy Rose: What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
H.C. Brown: Patience.
Amy Rose: What or who is the greatest love of your life?
H.C. Brown: My husband, 43 years and counting J
Amy Rose: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
H.C. Brown: Having my children.
Amy Rose: Thanks for visiting my parlour today, H.C. Brown. It’s been a pleasure.
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H.C. Brown is also sharing an excerpt from her Scottish historical romance release Charmed – The MacKenzie Trilogy, Book One. Please read on…
Chapter One
Lady Adrianna Beachwood slid into the shadows masking the terrace, her attention captivated on the tall stranger bowing over Lady Bracken’s hand in the receiving line. At last, a gentleman worthy of my consideration. He straightened and bestowed a brilliant smile on his hostess before moving through the reception room in her direction. Sauntering past in elegant glory leaving the expensive fragrance of bergamot in his wake, he astounded her. Dangerously handsome and with the hungry countenance of a wolf, he cast a predatory gaze over the silk encased ladies gathering in the foyer. From the enthusiastic titters beside her and the flutter of fans in her periphery, his perfect proportions, and elegant form had attracted more than a few ladies devotion.
She admired tall men and he was indeed the most stylish of gentlemen. His magnificent broad shoulders fit snugly inside a dark blue jacket nipped at the waist and worn over crisp ivory linen with an overindulgence of lace in the French mode. Her gaze drifted in wanton abandon from his expertly folded silk cravat tucked into a heavily embroidered waistcoat to his breeches cut tight enough to enhance his long muscular legs. Lifting her fan to hide her heated cheeks, she gaped after him. Rather than covering his head with a wig, he had queued his glossy ebony hair at the nape without one trace of powder, yet he certainly appeared to be a devotee to fashion by the cut of his cloth, and the expensive lace at his cuffs.
Her attention matched his swagger in the direction of the ballroom and entranced by his devilish countenance, she stepped into the hallway and followed him along the passageway. She picked up her step, but he sauntered straight past the ballroom without as much as a glimpse within and continued in the direction of the card room. Bother! Adrianna pressed her lips together and stared after him. Determined not to miss the opportunity to catch his eye, she cleared her throat. The temptation of a man stopped abruptly and turned to face her. His languid gaze traveled over her and as he inclined his dark head, the corners of his full mouth twitched into a secretive smile.
A booming voice, announcing the arrival of her father, broke the spell.
“Ah, there you are Adrianna. Why, may I ask do you find it necessary to dally so close to the card room? It is not seemly for a lady to be in close proximity to gamesters, my dear.” He moved to her side then his gaze slid past her and darkened at the sight of the handsome stranger. “Come along, I am sure there are more suitable gentlemen waiting to fill your card.” He offered his arm.
Annoyed by her father’s untimely appearance, she composed her features into a mask of disinterest, and rested one hand on his arm. “I noticed you in the company of Lord Somerton in the receiving room and assumed you would pass this way so I waited for you, Papa.”
His nostrils flared in disgust and he bent his head lowering his voice. His acid tongue lashed over her like a whip.
“You are not a girl on her first come out and should know better than to expose yourself to rakes and ne’re do wells.”
She turned to him aghast. “Oh, Papa, your worry is unfounded. To be sure, Lord Bracken would not allow scoundrels within a mile of Lady Bracken’s soiree.”
Her father raised both eyebrows and peered at her thoughtfully through his quizzing glass.
“Adrianna, your naivety astounds me. It would seem I will have to keep a closer eye on you this evening.” He tucked an errant curl into her chignon with unexpected skill. “Come along, I have arranged for a number of respectable gentlemen to make your acquaintance.”
Genre & heat level : Georgian, Scottish Highlander, Smugglers, Pirates, spicy Romance
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Highlander Drew Mackenzie’s double life as a respectable gentleman and the notorious, smuggler, Le 
Diable Noir, comes into jeopardy the moment Lady Adrianna Beachwood’s father rejects him as a suitor. He devises an ingenious deception to meet her in secret by using his cousin, the respectable, Lord Rupert as a decoy.
Nothing goes to plan and when the feisty goddaughter of George II is thrust into danger, her only chance of survival lies in the hands of her courageous and deliciously handsome Scottish warrior.
Buy Links
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H.C. Brown is a multi-published, bestselling, award-winning author of Historical, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, BDSM, Time 
Travel, Action Adventure, Suspense, and Contemporary Romance. In 2015, she was delighted to be named Luminosity Publishing’s Bestselling Author of 2014. In 2015, Highlander in the Mist placed 3rd Historical and Rock ‘n’ Leather placed 3rd GLBT in the Easychair Bookshop Competition. In 2011, she was delighted to receive nominations in three categories in the 2011 CAPA Awards: Favorite Author, Best GLBT Romance, and Best Science Fiction Romance. She was nominated for Best Historical M/M in the 2013, Goodreads Book of Year Awards. H.C writes about strong alpha male heroes and girl next door heroines in complex settings, and all her stories have happy endings.
To connect with H.C. Brown, you can find her at the following places: