Today my guest is Julianne Maclean. I’m not even sure when I met Julianne the first time – it might have been when I was the keynote speaker at the Marshlands RWA conference in Moncton NB in 1998. Either way, it’s been a while. Julianne is every bit as charming and gracious and just plain nice as you might imagine, either from reading her books or following her online. (You can find Julianne online on Facebook, right here, and her website is here.) I’m delighted to have her here today.
Please welcome Julianne!
Julianne MacLean – on her Highlander Trilogy Conclusion
What would you do if you were trapped up against a Scottish standing stone by a savage beast of a Highlander with wild vengeance in his eyes?
That’s what happens in the first meet scene of my new historical romance, SEDUCED BY THE HIGHLANDER, and let me tell you, it was the most fun I had writing an opening scene in ages.
Those of you who have read my books in the past will know that I’ve been writing romances set in the late-Victorian period, and have written my share of ballroom scenes. Sometimes, however, a writer needs to shake things up a bit and explore new territory, which is why I was itching to start a new trilogy with a different setting and time period.
I couldn’t have chosen anything more dramatic than Scotland during the aftermath of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. These were turbulent times, and I’m quite sure that ballroom gossip was the last thing on a Highlander’s mind when he was charging across a battlefield with a terrifying war cry, drawing his claymore to meet his foe.
Okay, let’s stop right there.
THAT is the reason I wanted to write about the Highlands. Sure, the mountains and the mists are beautiful and all that, but it was the notion of the rugged, brawny warrior who borders on the barbaric that stirred my imagination.
What is it about a big, dangerous, savage in a kilt that gets under our skin?
I openly confess that I enjoyed exploring this question in all three books in my Highlander Trilogy. Each “first meet” scene was a thrill to write on every level. The heroine in the first book is an English debutante traveling north to marry her scarlet-uniformed gentleman fiancé, and when the hero breaks into her room, she is terrified of him – and rightly so, because he’s looking pretty angry and carrying a big, heavy axe. Then he drags her off into the night to parts unknown.
In the second book, the hero brings and army to invade the heroine’s castle, and after a triumphant conquest, he claims her as his bride.
In the third book, which releases today, the hero is cursed by a seductive witch and hunts her down three years later to regain his freedom from the curse. When he finds her, she is disguised as an heiress and claims she can’t remember anything about her life (much less how to break the curse), so he kidnaps her in order to help jog her memory.
There were so many complex emotions and conflicts to delve into in all three books. The characters were at war with each other in the opening scenes, which made the story arcs a challenging roller coaster of discovery and transformation. There were days when I, as the writer, didn’t know how the heroine was going to survive a certain situation, much less grow to love her enemy.
But isn’t that what we love best about romance novels? Even the most tortured, conflicted characters can overcome their demons and learn how to be gentle, and how to love.
Each of my Highlanders are rough and frightening, at least on the surface. But by the end of each book, a strong and loving woman helps him to find peace.
Thanks for joining me today, and please leave a comment about what kind of hero you love best. Do you like the dangerous, brooding type, or a more polite well-mannered gentleman? I’m going to give away three copies of CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLANDER to three lucky commenters, so don’t be shy!
Deborah Cooke: Author 
126 responses to “Visit from Julianne Maclean”
I just love your books and would love to win one!
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Julianne, I love your newsletter. Your newsletter is entertaining and I love your contests as much as I love your books.
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Congrats on your new release!
Even though brooding types are fun, I love a polite gentleman who is witty and who can make me laugh.
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I can’t wait to get this book.
Who doesn’t love a big brawny man in a kilt at their back, mind you I would prefer being flung over his shoulder & whisked way to his wee abode so he can have his wicked way (BEG with eyebrows wigging).
Good luck on the new release though I know you’ll go straight to number 1 .
Ann/alba
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Being part Scot, of course, I love the Highlander series
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I just love the Warrior type man who can set your heart blazing. Keep up the good work.
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I’d love a peek underneath this kilted warrier!!
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Wow! Thanks to all of you for commenting on Julianne’s post.
I’m picking our three winners now, so check your email and spam folders.
Deb
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Love Julianne’s books
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I love the strong, alpha male. I like a rake because they are the most fun in the bedroom. I also love that they try so hard not to fall and usually they fall the hardest.
I love Julianne’s books and would love to win and read this one. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
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HIGHLANDERS–Yummy! What would I do?–kiss him quick–that would certainly disconcert him. The follow up with a big grin!
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Please enter me into the giveaway- I need a take charge kind of guy with a great sense of humor
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It’s been a rough September & early October. I need a fantasy to refresh, recharge, and renew my spirit.
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I LOOOOve english-writen love story: it’s as if you’re the hero… Wich is quite agréable. ❤
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I love Highlanders, they are sooo strong and hot 🙂
Brandy
brandyzbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I can’t wait to read this one!!!
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I like the polite, well-mannered type…but I’ll read about the brooders too. Love your books.
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Julianne’s books are always exciting and fun. The highlander series is particularly enjoyable. The guys are great and the gals are their equal.
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Enjoyed what I read, sound like a great read
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I’m still inspired to knit but the needles aren’t inspired by me. In my case they should call it knot. Love the books.
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I just finished Seduced..and i’m in love with Duncan! I’ve always enjoyed stories about Highlander, but many almost read just like anything book. This book, however, was quite different.
The biggest difference between Seduced and all of the other highlands boks I’ve read is the emotional depth of Maelia and Duncan. They were able to draw out in one another each other’s true and trueful natures. Duncan was a lost and suffering soul when he met Amelia and she was a sheltered and quite spoiled member of the upper echelons of proper English society. No poilers here, but I was as surprised as Amelia was that day at the place!
Would love to win Claimed before I can’t hold out and I buy it.
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com
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Definitely dangerous, brooding type ;o)
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The Dangerous brooding type of hero.
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I prefer the middle ground, not someone unobtainable, but yet clearly a gentleman–educated, thoughtful, yet not without some flaws (nobody’s perfect!) 🙂
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Maybe I missed it somewhere, but who won?
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Oops, you’re right, Teresa. I notified the winners but didn’t post it here.
Congrats to Jess, Margaret and Barb! They’ve all replied and their books are on the way.
d
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