Today, I’m interviewing author Collette Cameron who’s celebrating the release of her debut novel with this interview as part of her Goddess Fish Blog tour. Here’s a little bit about Collette:

A life-long Oregonian, Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of Portland. Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit, interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water, and of course, vegetable.

A voracious reader of romance since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance, she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor, and a liberal portion of suspense.

Having dabbled in interior decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum laude from Oregon State University, and going on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc.

Some of Collette’s favorite things include unique blends of coffees and teas, trivia, Cadbury Milk Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith, husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life quite nicely! When she’s not teaching or writing, she enjoys amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading.

Welcome Collette, it’s  a pleasure to host you today.
Thanks so much for having me here today.

First of all, can we see a picture of your 200 plus Thimble Collection?
Sure! I included some pictures. The thimbles are scattered all over my house so, you’re only seeing part of them.

Second, why thimbles?
Over thirty years ago, my sister gave me five or six for Christmas. I started picking up ones that I thought were interesting or pretty, then other people started giving them to me too. I’ve got thimbles from most of the states, France, England, Spain, Mexico, Ireland, and one my hubby gave me with a gold nugget on top.

My favorite though is a silver one that belonged to my great, great grandmother. It’s over 160 years old.Those were the appetizer questions – now onto the main course!

What was your inspiration for Highlander’s Hope?
A single scene, the Banbury Inn scene where Ewan finds Yvette asleep in his chamber, popped into my mind one day. It played out like a movie. I wondered if I could create an entire story around that scene. Highlander’s Hope is the result.

Did you model your heroine, Yvette, on a real person?
I didn’t model Yvette after anyone. I’ve had people suggest she is me, maybe because of the blonde hair and blue eyes, but she’s not. I’m also clumsy so I suspect that’s another reason people have thought I modeled her after me. Yvette’s a completely fictional character and much of her character developed as the story did.

I love the way, your hero’s brogue thickens when he’s emotional – was that deliberate on your part?
I wanted Ewan to be a strong, alpha male, but I also wanted him to be vulnerable. Having his Scot’s accent become more pronounced when he’s less guarded was a way for his vulnerability to show through.

How did you decide on the traitor in the War Office plot?
Beside being Laird of Craiglocky and the Viscount Sethwick, Ewan’s a member of England’s elite diplomatic corps. I wanted an ongoing conflict that would add continued suspense to the plot, so I created the spymaster. He’s the traitor in the war office and Yvette’s stepbrother, also a traitor, is an associate of his. There are other elements of intrigue and espionage that keeps the reader guessing about just who is after Ewan and Yvette.

Where did Mrs. Pettigrove’s character come from? I particularly loved her malodorous offerings.
Yes, dear Mrs. Pettigrove and her digestive disruptions. She’s quite something, isn’t she? I wanted to create a character that epitomized hypocrisy, but also one that was very realistic. I took all the obnoxious things I could thing of and wove them into Mrs. Pettigrove’s character.

Is Highlander’s Hope part of a series? If so, how many books do you have planned?
Highlander’s Hope is the first book in my Blue Rose Series. The second book, The Viscount’s Vow is about Ian and Vangie, Yvette’s cousin.  The third book in the trilogy, The Earl’s Enticement, features Adaira, Ewan’s sister and Roark, Yvette’s other stepbrother. I also have a six-book saga planned that includes Ewan’s other siblings and cousins.

Now for some fun trivia:
What’s your pet peeve?
Bullying and when people talk behind someone else’s back.

Exercise or curl up with a good book?
Exercise in the morning and curl up with a good book at bedtime.

What’s your secret, sinful pleasure?
Cadbury Milk Chocolate. I ate it for the first time when I was in England many years ago, and I was hooked!

Commando or old-lady panties?
Nothing in between, huh?  Okay, so I’ll go with the granny panties, but they have to have lots and lots of flowers on them! Maybe even some lace.

Wine or beer?
Can’t stand either one, but give me a strawberry margarita or daiquiri and I’m happy.

Favorite movie?
Pride and Prejudice the 2005 movie.

One thing in the world you couldn’t do without:
Okay, I’m going big! Electricity. That covers everything from refrigeration to lights to computers to my hair dryer.  Plus the hubby, son, brother, brother-in-laws (2), father-in-law are electricians.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions Collette.

HIGHLANDER’S HOPE

BLURB:
Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, the Viscount Sethwick, hasn’t dreamed of the beauty he danced with two years ago. He’s determined to win her heart and make her his own. Heiress, Yvette Stapleton, is certain of one thing; marriage is risky and, therefore, to be avoided. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but Lord Sethwick’s passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, Ewan draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish law, declaring her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.” Will Ewan’s manipulation cost him her newfound love?

LINKS:
Book URL: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/meet-collette-cameron/highlanders-hope-by-collette-cameron/
This is not a “buy” link.
Collette’s Links:
Website: http://collettecameron.com/
Blog: http://blueroseromance.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/collettecameronauthor
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/collette.cameron.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Collette_Author
Google+: https://plus.google.com/110459897284342875390#110459897284342875390/posts
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/collette-cameron/60/17a/667
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/colletteauthor/
Soul Mate Publishing Author’s Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/

Collette will be awarding this beautiful gift basket that includes a 20.00 Amazon gift card, Cadbury Chocolates, Vintage-looking cameo pendant, Highlander’s Hope bookmark, blue rose china teacup and demi-spoon, blue rose soaps, notepad–all assembled in an attractive vintage decor box to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Leave your email address in a comment and you’re entered into the contest.

Hope you enjoyed!

Cheers,

Jianne