Paige Edwards's Blog: Traitor in the Scottish Isles - Goodreads Giveaway until March 11th, page 3

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I write about places I'm passionate about. Yep, that's Scotland, and I was setting my stories there before it was the "it" place to visit. And I'll likely be setting them there long after peeps have "discovered" a new favorite. Why Scotland? It's the land of my fathers (and mothers). Their blood runs through my veins and calls to me. I think over time westerners have romanticized Scottish history. (who doesn't love an underdog?) My family history has definitely raised my eyebrows more than a few times. Some of my peeps weren't very nice, but as rotten as some of them were, they're still mine. So I visit my homeland each year, travel in their footsteps, and set my modern-day stories where they once trod. Some day I'd love to write historicals, but right now, contemporary stories are sparking. I'm currently mapping out a super fun story in my Roxbury Heirs series. I ran it past my editor, and she thought the idea was stellar. So I'm running with it and can't keep the silly grin off my face about the two main characters.

The best pick-me-up!

With a child going through icky cancer treatments for the next 12 months, I've turned to RomComs to lighten my mood. When you get your hands on a well-written one, they are awesome, light, and frothy--just what the doctor ordered. These fun, short novels came into their own during the Covid shutdowns, the perfect timing to place a smile on any face. Right now, I'm loving Emma St Clair; her comedic timing and comparisons leave me in stitches.

Summer Fun - Research

Readers are highly intelligent peeps and have a vast amount of experience. So I spend a great amount of time researching for my novels, largely because I refuse to fudge anything over on them. And, I must confess, I find learning new things fascinating. Plus, if I can pass a few new tidbits on to my readers, we all win, right? This summer, I'm still trying to figure out a writing schedule at my daughter's while I'm helping her family of nine as she undergoes chemo, surgery, radiation, infusion, and hormone therapy. The nursing staff and workers at her cancer center are amazing, and the weird part of my mind is fascinated by the progress in cancer treatments that have been made in recent years. And I'm sure some of this will wind up in one of my novels in some form or another. Now I just need to zero in on a solid plot for the characters I plan to torment on their road to a happily ever after:). Cheers.

Scotland Research Trip

I just returned a few days ago from Scotland, where I conducted research for my Roxbury Heirs series. AND I ticked off a bucket list item while we were there by hiking up to the Old Man of Storr whilst on the Isle of Skye (be impressed-I'm a wuss). We've visited Skye on three separate occasions, and this was the only time we actually saw The Old Man of Storr. On the previous hikes, we encountered horizontal rain and ground cloud that entirely covered the Quiraing, even after hiking halfway up the mountain, hoping it would clear. So you can imagine our elation when we arrived on Skye with sunny skies (along with 10K of our new best friends:). JK-it was super crowded with peeps visiting from all over the world. We also hiked up to the Fairy Pools and took a few shots of that those turquoise pools, because they are featured heavily in my upcoming release, Skye Fall (Oct). Can't wait to share it with you.

Submissions, Nerves, and Projects

Whenever I submit a manuscript, I get super nervous. Last night was no different when I hit the send button. (I'm traditionally published). When you dream up your stories in the privacy of your own home, you never know how your story and characters will be perceived: liked, hated, or something in-between.
So to combat the metaphorical nail-biting for the next few months, I need a distraction.
Oh, wait... I have one. Or two. Or three brewing inside.
I wonder which one will create that spark? Will it be the one I've been requested to write for a marketing extravaganza my publisher wants me to do in 18 months with three other authors? Or an entirely different series? Or the novella I started last year and keep putting down when other projects take precedence?
One thing is for sure; it's never dull inside a writer's head. :) Happy Spring, y'all.

Title for August 2023 Release

I just saw the preliminary graphic options for my August 2023 release! The book title was a happy surprise for me as well. Skye Fall will hit markets this summer; crossing my fingers that they pick my favorite cover. No, this is not a James Bond novel. The story is named after an incident that occurs on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. This Christian fiction romantic suspense is the conclusion to my Pressley-Coombes series. But the family curse lives on... And more exciting stories are sure to follow.

Whitney Awards finalist

My novel, Facing the Enemy (2023 mystery/suspense Swoony Award winner) is a 2023 Whitney Awards finalist. Writing is a solo career with little feedback until the book is submitted to a publisher (if you're trad published like me). So when novels you have bled all over the pages receive recognition, it often comes as a happy surprise. But no author would be worth a hill of beans without their editors. I've been so blessed with mine. Ashley Gebert is brilliant, and her books do well because of her additional insights. Love her to pieces.

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The Swoony Awards

As a relatively new author, I’m still blown away when my books receive attention. Facing the Enemy, a romantic suspense novel (mystery/suspense) set in Scotland, is currently a finalist in The Swoony Awards. The Swoony Awards are a Reader’s Choice Award that recognizes excellence in clean, secular, wholesome romance. Tagline: While on medical leave, Agent Elise Taylor discovers that the man who killed her MI6 partner is hunting her to exact his revenge. You can take part in casting your vote in the final round from Dec 22-30, 2022. (It’s a great place to find books to add to your TBR list too)
Here's the link: https://tinyurl.com/2uz8ky2f

Remember The Alamo

As an author, you never know how or when inspiration for a story will strike. While on travel to San Antonio, Texas, I visited The Alamo, which is a sacred site for Texans and for my family too.
When Travis sent a plea for help to the people of Texas and all Americans on Feb 25th while he and his men were holed up inside The Alamo, only one group entered to assist, The Gonzalez Rangers. Knowing their chances of survival were slim, the Gonzales Rangers--32 in all, found a way to enter the Alamo through Mexican lines while being shot at. Among them was my 3rd great uncle, William E. Summers, a young man in his early twenties who died at The Alamo on March 6, 1836. He is part of the Immortal 32 Gonzales Rangers who were organized to help protect the settlers.
So what did those who fought at The Alamo accomplish? Quite a lot, actually.
Those brave souls successfully slowed Santa Anna's Army so Americans could evacuate from adjoining areas, my 3rd great grandmother and her children were among those evacuees. It also gave time for the men to get organized and fight (my 3rd great grandfather fought in the Bexar Campaign to defend Texans in that quarter). So when they say, "Remember The Alamo." I do.

So I met with an Agent

Authoring is always a roller coaster ride. Recently, I met with an agent from a literary agency. Our interview went well. She agents for several big authors in my genre and is interested in taking me on. But I'm not your typical author; I didn't get into writing for monetary purposes or to turn it into a career. I write to touch hearts. So the potential with this agent is definitely what I have longed to do--widen that reach. Yet I hesitate. I love my publisher; they've been good to me, but if I want to go big, this is definitely the next step. Decisions. Decisions.