This week we feature an interview with another author about her work and her newest release,
- Why do you write historical romance?
I love exploring the roles and relationships of men and women in an era without divorce, birth control, and women employed outside the home. For women, the stakes in pursuing romance were very high, the consequences inescapable—so many opportunities for conflict and drama!
- What is your favorite historical period and why?
I love the Regency and late Georgian era because it was a period of social change, beautiful fashions, and political drama, with the ongoing existential threat of Napoleon underlying the giddiness of the social scene.
And actually, probably my second favorite period, and one that I plan to write about, God willing, is the Mexican-American War era in California. My interest was piqued when I discovered that my home is built on the site of the rancho adobe where Commodore Stockton and General Kearny camped before a decisive battle. It gives me goosebumps!
- What is your favorite scene in this book?
My favorite scene is the hero’s proposal scene—well, his last proposal. Liliana has turned him down twice, so this time he has to get it right!
- What was the hardest scene to write?
I struggled the most with the hero’s first proposal, which takes place in a carriage. This was also the first kiss scene, and getting the level of “heat” right, and keeping the emotion true for this heroine took some rewriting. This story wound up being just a tad warmer than sweet, because that was the truest for these characters and their story world.
About Liliana’s Letter
The Matchmaker
Lord Grigsby wants nothing more than to retreat to his study, but a promise to his long-dead sister has forced him back into society to broker the marriage of his nephew to the heiress whose money can save the young man’s earldom. If only the young lady’s starchy hired companion would move out of the way.
The Matchbreaker
Hired to launch an heiress’s society debut, seemingly straitlaced spinster Liliana Ashford’s future as a professional chaperon depends on the girl’s successful marriage. But Liliana had her own close encounter with a scoundrel years ago, and she won’t let her charge be forced into marriage to the same kind of rogue, no matter how hard the man’s widowed uncle tries to woo Liliana around to the match.
Secrets and a Scandalous Murder
A shadow from Liliana’s past appears bearing an unfortunate letter she wrote long ago, and then the earl is murdered, evoking the scandal of the season. While she scrambles to make a respectable match for her charge before her own past can be exposed, Grigsby sets about finding his nephew’s killer—and Liliana’s secrets.
An Excerpt
The woman at Grigsby’s side was like a lightning rod expecting a bolt to strike, or like a Fury about to 
deliver one. This close, scent wafted from her, roses and lemon, he’d guess. Tall, straight, and stiff, underneath her self-possession was a temper ready to unleash. He would bet on it.
Intriguing. He dared to poke her ire. “You clearly don’t approve of the match. Do you intend to openly oppose it?”
Her head whipped around, and she glared. “It’s not for me to approve or disapprove. Katie—Miss Mercer—will decide.”
Passion flashed in her eyes, sending an answering spark through him. She was magnificent—though so very mistaken. “Really? Then her father is more liberal than I expected.”
She looked him over more closely. “What do you know of this matter?”
I might ask you the same question. Her tone had been stiff, like the crystallized dome covering bubbling lava. He fixed her with his sternest glare, not entirely surprised at her cheek.
His glower didn’t impress her. She lifted her shoulders higher. Stood a little taller, proud, lovely, and filled with indignation.
Quite righteous indignation. He gave into an unmanly sigh, truly weary of his responsibility for Thomas. “I know a good deal, Miss Ashford. I have been negotiating for these nuptials. The arrangement is my doing as much as Mr. Mercer’s. Much more than it is my nephew’s. He is probably the least culpable, except for his abominable behavior.”
She clenched her hands tightly. “I see.”
“Thomas’s mother was my older sister. I made a promise to her that I would look after him.” Her gaze softened, and she bit her lip in a way that made him want to taste the part that she was nipping.
And where had that thought come from?
“And your nephew needs money and an heir.”
He nodded. As a woman of the ton, of course she would understand how marriage worked. Marriage wasn’t about love, or the bride’s approval, or a plump lower lip that begged to be kissed.
“He needs money most of all. He has a younger brother in the army who would make a far more dutiful earl.”
He covered his mouth with his hand. The words had rolled out, shocking him. He rarely spoke this frankly with any woman.
Very well, he never spoke this frankly with any woman.
She released a soft breath. “And there is the matter of the ore.”
His mouth gaped and he quickly closed it. Mr. Mercer had shared that information? Well. “That part of the county is rich with newly discovered veins of iron.”
That information brought her up straighter. She looked away, gazing intently at a thick, dark spot of foliage, making him want to pry into that sharp mind.
“I see,” she said. “I believe we should go back in now.”
Not yet. He tucked her hand over his arm but did not move. “I had hoped we were not finished talking. I’ve learned your Christian name is Liliana, but I don’t know anything else about you. I don’t know where you’re from or anything about your family.”
He sensed her bristling, and waited for some reaction, perhaps a slap, verbal, or, with a woman of her passion, even a physical one. Strictly speaking, he was importuning her, and damn if he wasn’t enjoying the nerves rippling through her.
Buy Links
iBooks
About Alina K. Field
Award winning author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but she found her true passion in reading and writing romance. Though her roots are in the Midwest, after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California and hasn’t looked back. She shares a midcentury home with her husband and a blue-eyed cat who conned his way in for dinner one day and decided the food was too good to leave.
She is the author of the 2014 Book Buyer’s Best winner in the novella category, Rosalyn’s Ring, a Regency novella; and the novel-length sequel, a 2015 RONE Award finalist, Bella’s Band, both Soul Mate Publishing releases.
Visit her at:
https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield
Great interview and excerpts. This genre is a great fit for you. I can’t believe the story about your house! And a blue-eyed cat? So pretty.
Waving hello, Beth! Yes, I was shocked when I learned about the ranch house, but I always wondered because there are 4 very old California pepper trees lined up across our neighbor’s and our front yards. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much, Caroline, for the opportunity to be a guest on your beautiful website!
You are very welcome. Thanks for visiting.