Kathleen Baldwin - Award-Winning Regency Romances
Kathleen Baldwin loves adventure in books and in real life. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, survival camped in the desert, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, spent way too long in college, fell in love at least a dozen times, and married her very own hero. They have four free-spirited adventurous children. Baldwin is the author of several award-winning, bestselling, sweet Regency Romances including Mistaken Kiss, a Holt Medallion Finalist, Lady Fiasco, awarded best Regency by Cataromance readers. A SCHOOL FOR UNUSUAL GIRLS, the first book in her Alternate History Regency series for Young Adults, is a Junior Library Guild selection. Kansas State NEA Reading Circle gave it a starred review in their “Best of the Best” for High Schools. Scholastic licensed the series for school book fairs. Ian Bryce, producer of Spiderman, Transformers, Saving Private Ryan, and other blockbuster films, optioned it for film. As our Author of the Day, she tells us about her book, Mistaken Kiss.
Please give us a short introduction to what Mistaken Kiss is about.
The vicar’s little sister knows her prospects are bleak. When Willa accidentally kisses Alexander Braeburn, her dull predictable world turns upside down. Logic dictates she should stay away from the handsome rascal. But how can she resist? Willa wants one more taste of the most tantalizing excitement she has ever experienced. Just one more, before she settles back into her dreary life forever.
What inspired you to write this story?
This book was an ode to Oscar Wilde. I love his plays, especially The Importance of Being Earnest. It’s a madcap piece of fun.
Why did you decide to feature a vicar's little sister in this book?
Willa Is a delight. Raised by her older brother, who is a pseudo-intellectual and knows nothing of the real world, she depends on logic to rule her world.
So it’s a scrumptious juxtaposition to have her, a little nobody who thinks logic can solve every dilemma, paired with a young man who has given up on the idea that he has any redeeming virtues and is just out to have fun in life.
Tell us more about Alexander Braeburn. What makes him so special?
Alexander is the black sheep of his family, an outcast. Willa, the heroine, innocently pulls him into the role of a genuine hero—a role he never saw In himself.
Tell us more about Aunt Honore. Why do you include her in some of your books?
Aunt Honore is based loosely on my own aunt who was wildly unpredictable and just is notorious as lady Alameda.
Your books contain a lot of humor. Why do you take this approach?
I am a basically happy person, and I found that generally, humor makes even painful situations more tolerable.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on another Aunt Honore book, which is almost finished. And also the fifth book in the Stranje House series.
Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?
Readers can learn more about me at my website, KathleenBaldwin.com
When I’m not writing or hanging out with my kids you’ll almost always find me in the mountains somewhere.