Highlighting Historical: Lindsay Downs

Lindsay Downs visits today to talk about how his newest release came to be. (and I love the cover)
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To fully understand A Highland Romance you, my reader, you might return to the first novella in the series, The Masked Lady and The Murder, released in  2014 then delve into Highland Gold, released in early 2015.

My characters also appeared in the Bluestocking Bookshop, in late May or June 2015. There you learn that someone tried to burn down the store.

In The Masked Lady and the Murder you learn the how and why Robert became the viscount. At the end I leave you wondering who the man is seen walking away a hanging of the two murderers.

While in Highland Gold you learn of the finding of gold in Scotland. Here I had to do research to see if I could find suitable locale for the setting of the story. Once I found the perfect area the story started coming together easily. Of course, since I write cozy mysteries murder is an integral part of the story. Again a mysterious man is seen around the village.

Now, let’s fast forward to March 14, 2016 with A Highland Romance is available for preorder. This book was interesting and fun to write as I am able to answer several questions from the aforementioned books. Not only that but I needed to blend, seamlessly, into the story what I’d posted in a thread in the Bluestockings Bookshop. What you learn in this tome should surprise you.

About A Highland Romance

When Lord and Lady Markson return to Scotland little do they realize who is also there. The same man who set a fire in London a year before and had killed His Lordship’s father and older brother. Could this person be the same one who’d slipped through their hands the last time the Markson’s visited the estate.

They are about to start hunting this person down they have an unexpected visitor. Someone they’d met several months before while trying to prove Lady Markson’s brother innocent of murder. Mr. William Atkinson. Once he informs the Markson’s of Toby Underwood’s true identity they set out to being him to the castle. There he meets Rose, his daughter he never knew he had.

As plans go forward to reward Toby of his service to the Crown the true killer kidnaps Rose. Rescued she marries the love her life, Keith Moore with the newest viscount looking on.

After the ceremony Lord and Lady Markson return to the castle. They are met by her brother with an ominous message.

~Excerpt~

While Robert waited for this mystery person to appear he looked over to his wife who now seemed as confused as he was. Before he could ask Hamish reappeared.

“M’ lord, and lady, Mr. William Atkinson.”

Robert studied the man marching toward him all the while trying to hide the confusion in his eyes. He knew The Duke of Clarion family surname was Atkinson and the sitting duke went by William. But, this couldn’t be the same senior peer he and Kristina had met a month ago.

The man presented before Robert had dark brown, unkempt hair with several days’ growth of thick beard. Then there was the attire, a thread-worn and faded brown jacket in need of being burned. The trousers where in even worse shape and at the knees they were ripped and even the riding boots had seen better days.

With a glance to Kristina, Robert noticed her studying the man’s profile intently.

Turning his head back to the man Robert straightened.

“Sir, have we ever met before?”

“I think not.”

“I beg your pardon, but you’re incorrect, or at least partially. Last year before His Lordship and I married he was escorting me around Hyde Park. This was shortly after the Bluestockings Bookstore had been partially burned and we were hunting for someone who might have set the fire or knew who had created the blaze. As we strolled about I noticed a gentleman with all white hair sitting on a bench. He bore a striking resemblance, save the hair color, to the man we were hunting down. Then, in the distance I noticed someone examining this individual. Sir, that was you watching our quarry, Toby Underwood,” Kristina declared.

As Kristina spoke Robert studied the man calling himself William Atkinson to see what, if any, his reaction would be. Nothing. Which was unusual because until his wife had mentioned seeing him Robert had been at a loss. Now, frustrated, it was time to find out exactly who this William Atkinson was and what connection to Underwood he had.

“Sir, everything Her Ladyship said is true. Until she declared having seen you in the park I’d not remembered you and the incident in question. Now I do. I also happen to know the surname Atkinson belongs to The Duke of Clarion and he goes by the Christian name of William. I ask, nay demand to know,” Robert paused to take in a deep breath. “Are you The Duke of Clarion or an imposter? If you are he, then why are you in this, for lack of a better word ‘disguise’?”

“Yes, Lord and Lady Markson I am the duke. However, for my tenure here I’d prefer to remain Mr. William Atkinson. As to why I’ve invaded your lovely castle, I’m more than willing to share that with you,” William uttered.

Robert watched as the man reached into his trouser pocket, withdrew a ring and set it on the edge of the desk. Immediately, Robert recognized the Clarion ducal crest. He stood.

Buy links-

US- http://tinyurl.com/h6y34jr

UK- http://tinyurl.com/h7u6ttn

CA- http://tinyurl.com/zabzya9

AU- http://tinyurl.com/jlyhwor

About The Author

I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.

So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.

My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.

With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.

Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.

My favourite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.

Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.

Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.

Where you can find Lindsay

Facebook- http://tinyurl.com/pgq8vzz

Facebook Pages-  http://tinyurl.com/nresq5j

Twitter- @ldowns2966

LinkedIn- http://tinyurl.com/e8t56

Goodreads- http://tinyurl.com/prcdmml

Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://tinyurl.com/kvfz468

Amazon- http://tinyurl.com/ktem76c