Please give a warm welcome to a Rose sister (from The Wild Rose Press), Kathryn Scarborough! We're discussing Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes, and her new release in January, The Wild Mountain Thyme. I'm serving Cheddar Dill Scones and Elderberry Wine, so get comfortable and let's meet Kathryn...

MM: Welcome to the Tavern, Kathryn! Delighted you could join us today. Congratulations on your new book, The Wild Mountain Thyme. Describe a typical writing day. Are you a morning, afternoon, or night-owl writer?

KS: My typical writing day starts at or before 9 AM. I generally try to get in my goal for word count or the editing time I need before I do anything else. I am very disciplined; that comes from being a musician for decades before I started writing.

MM: I am in agreement regarding the discipline, Kathryn. Happy to meet another person who feels the same when it comes to their writing. Can you tell us about your current work-in-progress?

KS: My current work in progress, believe it or not, is science fiction. But for the hardened romance fan that I am, romance has found a way into this book. The premise of the book is this: Jane Austen is thrown forward in time 80 years. In 1895 London, she meets, believe it or not, Sherlock Holmes. Together, they discover who has disrupted and manipulated history. I know, a fictitious character meeting a real person, but somehow it works.

MM: I love this plot, Kathryn! I'm definitely intrigued. What inspires you when you’re writing?

KS: As to inspiration, everything I see, every person I speak to, everything I read, becomes book fodder for me.

MM: Wonderful. What’s your favorite item on your writing desk?

KS: My favorite item on my writing desk is my coffee cup!

MM: I must have my coffee or tea, too! Now for some questions. Do you prefer...

Champagne or Beer? I prefer neither champagne nor beer, but admire a good single malt whisky.

Southern drawl or Scottish burr? I’m used to southern drawls, but English spoken in any other way, Scottish burrs for instance, are not only appealing but exciting.

Kilt or Leather pants? Kilt, please! Oh, those legs!

First romance you read? I have no idea the title of the first romance I ever read. I read lots of historical fiction when I was a teenager, many that could be categorized as romance now. (I was a huge fan of historical fiction as a teen, too.)

Print book or e-reader? I love the tactile feel of a book in my hands, but e-readers are so convenient and so economical, I mean, how much shelf space would you need for all the books you are reading?

Blurb for The Wild Mountain Thyme ~

There’s a serial killer murdering Irish-American tourists all over Ireland. Jim O’Flannery of the Boston Globe and Megan Kennedy of the Irish Times, are teamed up to report on the killings. They want to work together, but stay clear of each other emotionally; there was A LOT of trouble with the opposite sex in the past. But, Jim’s guardian angel appears, as a leprechaun, Jim doesn’t believe in angels, to pester and cajole Jim into getting involved with Megan. Jim can see Seamus, Megan can’t, which makes for all sorts of embarrassing, crazy moments.

Jim and Megan trail the murderer to the west coast of Ireland, piecing together his motivation and where he may strike next.

An attempt is made on their lives, and only Jim’s quick wits saves the two. Megan disappears. Has the killer kidnapped her? Can Jim, with Seamus’s help, save her from mortal danger?

Buy Links: AMAZON | THE WILD ROSE PRESS

More about the author ~

My father was a Naval Aviator, and my two brothers and I spent our youth and adolescence moving every 18 months or so. These moves were mostly around the South with one tour in Japan. This constantly traveling environment meant I had to make new friends every time I moved.

A lot of my time I spent daydreaming and making up stories as well as changing the endings of the stories I was required to read in school.

I went to college to 'teach little kids how to sing on pitch,' and spent the following decades singing, teaching, and directing, as well as teaching English and history for ages from middle school to the junior college level. I now write full time, and live in central North Carolina with my husband and two crazy dogs.