Maggie Blackbird

Today, I have award-winning author Tina Holland in the interview chair. We’re discussing her latest release How to Marry a Major, book one in the B.A.D. Guide series, a historical Regency romance. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

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1. What inspired you to write this book?

Tina: I always wanted to write a Regency as it is one of my favorite genres to read. I just wasn’t confident enough until I’d had other books under my belt.

2. What can we expect from you in the future?

Tina: I plan to continue this series. Book Two is a third done and I’m hoping to release it before the end of the year, but we’ll see how things go.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in “How to Marry a Major”?

Tina: Yep. My heroine, Charlotte Wold, is a widow turned governess whose best friend, Amelia plans to help her make a match with her brother-in-law, Major Myles Ashton.

Myles was injured during the war and recently came into an inheritance. Both Charlotte and Myles fake a betrothal to keep Amelia from matchmaking, but of course, things don’t go according to plan.

4. How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

Tina: Charlotte is inspired by Elizabeth Bennet’s friend Charlott in Pride and Prejudice.

5. How did you come up with the names for the characters?

Tina: Most of my characters I use a name generator for. I then tweak it so that it works for my story.

6. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Tina: Getting to know this world I’ve created. I’m a pantser, so I’m often surprised by where the characters lead me.

7. How did you come up with the novel’s title?

Tina: This novel has had many titles. I think “How to Marry a Major” was the 4th. Once I found an alliteration I liked, I titled all seven books.

8. Who designed your book covers?

Tina: Melody Simmons https://bookcoversbymelody.com/

9. Did you learn anything during the writing of your book?

Tina: I had to learn the Regency rules regarding titles (duke, earl, marquess, etc.) and the laws regarding entitlement (aka inheritance). Many thanks to my editor, Sandra Sookoo.

10. What is your favourite part of this book and why?

Tina: There is a scene near the end where Myles gives Charlotte a gift that I find extremely touching.

11. If you could spend time with one character from your book, who would it be, and what would you do on that day?

Tina: I would spend the day with Kitty Fitzwilliam. She is a precocious teenager who is a bit of a tomboy who lives in the country with her mother. She enjoys being outdoors and disobeying rules. I think my teenage Regency self would’ve been her bestie.

12. Are your characters based on real people or did they come from your imagination?

Tina: A bit of both. Physical characteristics are always based on an actor, model, singer, person I know, etc. But their personalities are almost always my creation whether subconscious or not.

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Title: How To Marry a Major
Series: B.A.D. Guide Series, Book 1
Author: Tina Holland
Genre: Historical Regency Romance

When a fake betrothal becomes real, can two people find love?

Blurb: Following her Ne’er do well husband’s scandalous demise, Charlotte Wold is forced to become a governess. Never intending to marry again, this arrangement suits Charlotte just fine.

The bastard son of a powerful nobleman, Major Myles Ashton’s military service left him injured. When he returns home to stay with his brother, he’s shocked to find Charlotte again, a woman he never thought he’d see again after sharing a night together.

When desperation leads to a pretend attachment, scandal ensures the marriage is anything but pretend. Can Charlotte learn to love Myles? Or will she be doomed to another dreary marriage?

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As he closed the door, he heard a simultaneous click behind him. Years of war and instinct forced him to pivot and face this new challenge. His leg objected and he released a moan.

“Are you all right?”

Standing before him was the woman who had been ever-present in his mind this past year. If possible, she was perhaps more lovely. He scanned her and couldn’t distinguish the curves he recalled the night he held her. She wore a drab gown. Was she a servant in his brother’s house?  And how had she arrived here?

“Major Ashton?” she tested her voice. She gripped the door handle behind her. Her entire stance indicated she was ready to flee.

Curiosity overrode his manners. “Who are you?”

She released the handle and fisted her hands at her sides before taking a step toward him. “I am Charlotte Wold. Widow of the late Reverend Wold.”

Her light red hair was pulled back from her face and her wide gray eyes were a smokescreen. “Oh, I remember you, Mrs. Wold. A man doesn’t forget a woman he held in his arms.”

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Tina studied journalism at University and then went to work for a Fortune 500 company in Logistics for over 20 years.  She now writes full-time and helps her husband run his Crop Dusting business in the summer months.  When she’s not writing she likes to travel, read, and spend time with her farm critters. 

Follow Tina: Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Bookbub | Amazon | Goodreads

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