I had an opportunity to interview author Marlow Kelly on her upcoming novel ... "A Woman of Honour"
1. I see from your blog and marvellous pictures, you do a lot of research for each one of your novels. What is the attraction to historical romance? What is your favourite time period to portray?
I love the research. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in England surrounded by history, but I’ve always been fascinated by people from the past. I think they were very much like us, with hopes, dreams, rivalries, and fears. I don’t have a favorite time period. When I read Thomas Cahill’s How the Irish Saved Civilisation I wanted to write about early Christian Ireland. “A Woman of Honour” was inspired by Neil Oliver’s documentary “A History of Scotland.” Isabel’s guardian, Bishop Lamberton, and Duncan’s brother, Naill Campbell are actual historic figures.
2. Our heroine in “A Woman of Honour” is a strong woman who lacks a great deal of confidence as a worthy female. In your portrayal of Isabel Douglas you nailed the contrast of strength and insecurity so vividly, how were you able to accomplish this balanced juxtaposition?
I’m glad you feel that way. Isabel became a rounded personality over several rewrites. The more I delved into her story the more she revealed herself. I picture her to be over six feet tall and very slim. For most of our history more curvaceous women were considered desirable, so in her time period she’s deemed unattractive. Her strength comes from the fact that she has never been able to count on her looks. She has always had to rely on common sense and intelligence to get by.
3. Our hero, Duncan Campbell is every woman’s historical favourite. A scot complete with the plaid, strong legs, and opinionated nature who wants what he wants. Is Duncan based on anyone in particular? From whom do you draw on for your male characters?
The Duncan character has been with me for a while, a voice in my head demanding a story, so I gave him one. He’s a giant man, at least six foot eight inches, an excellent warrior, but he’s also opinionated and headstrong. This makes him the perfect lead for my story, but he does not excel at politics. He’s not the Campbell laird. That honour belongs to his brother, Niall. Duncan has no ability for diplomacy. He doesn’t like Robert the Bruce as a person, and merely tolerates the king.
4. Without giving too much of the story away, I loved how the couple first meet in a pitch-black dungeon and they have to form their opinions of one another without seeing each other. Using all of their other senses, they have to make up their mind to trust or walk away. Where did the inspiration for this exceptional opening come from?
To be honest, I don’t know if Duncan would have found Isabel so appealing had he not met her in the dark. She stands up to him and is not intimidated by his size, but more importantly in the darkness of the dungeon her kindness and integrity shine, and he’s drawn to her. By the time he sees her he’s already smitten.
5. When can we expect A Woman of Honour to be released?
It’s being published by The Wild Rose Press, and I haven’t been given a release date yet, but I’m hoping it will be available by the end of the year.
http://www.marlowkelly.com
1. I see from your blog and marvellous pictures, you do a lot of research for each one of your novels. What is the attraction to historical romance? What is your favourite time period to portray?
I love the research. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in England surrounded by history, but I’ve always been fascinated by people from the past. I think they were very much like us, with hopes, dreams, rivalries, and fears. I don’t have a favorite time period. When I read Thomas Cahill’s How the Irish Saved Civilisation I wanted to write about early Christian Ireland. “A Woman of Honour” was inspired by Neil Oliver’s documentary “A History of Scotland.” Isabel’s guardian, Bishop Lamberton, and Duncan’s brother, Naill Campbell are actual historic figures.
2. Our heroine in “A Woman of Honour” is a strong woman who lacks a great deal of confidence as a worthy female. In your portrayal of Isabel Douglas you nailed the contrast of strength and insecurity so vividly, how were you able to accomplish this balanced juxtaposition?
I’m glad you feel that way. Isabel became a rounded personality over several rewrites. The more I delved into her story the more she revealed herself. I picture her to be over six feet tall and very slim. For most of our history more curvaceous women were considered desirable, so in her time period she’s deemed unattractive. Her strength comes from the fact that she has never been able to count on her looks. She has always had to rely on common sense and intelligence to get by.
3. Our hero, Duncan Campbell is every woman’s historical favourite. A scot complete with the plaid, strong legs, and opinionated nature who wants what he wants. Is Duncan based on anyone in particular? From whom do you draw on for your male characters?
The Duncan character has been with me for a while, a voice in my head demanding a story, so I gave him one. He’s a giant man, at least six foot eight inches, an excellent warrior, but he’s also opinionated and headstrong. This makes him the perfect lead for my story, but he does not excel at politics. He’s not the Campbell laird. That honour belongs to his brother, Niall. Duncan has no ability for diplomacy. He doesn’t like Robert the Bruce as a person, and merely tolerates the king.
4. Without giving too much of the story away, I loved how the couple first meet in a pitch-black dungeon and they have to form their opinions of one another without seeing each other. Using all of their other senses, they have to make up their mind to trust or walk away. Where did the inspiration for this exceptional opening come from?
To be honest, I don’t know if Duncan would have found Isabel so appealing had he not met her in the dark. She stands up to him and is not intimidated by his size, but more importantly in the darkness of the dungeon her kindness and integrity shine, and he’s drawn to her. By the time he sees her he’s already smitten.
5. When can we expect A Woman of Honour to be released?
It’s being published by The Wild Rose Press, and I haven’t been given a release date yet, but I’m hoping it will be available by the end of the year.
http://www.marlowkelly.com