Title: Tartan Deadlines
Author: Jamie Salisbury
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: April 2014
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Rae Spencer has found out all it takes is a nasty, good old fashioned divorce for family secrets and deception to come bubbling to the surface.
For Rory MacGregor, his life is an open book. He’s never had time for a serious relationship. His multi-media corporation is his mistress.
Imagine his surprise when he finds himself falling for his recent hire from America . . . his mature, attractive magazine editor, Rae Spencer. Picture her confusion as she finds herself deeply attracted to her handsome, take-charge Scottish boss.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t fight love.
Book Links
Welcome Jamie Salisbury! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I was for the most part raised outside Seattle. I did spend three years of my teenage years in Chile – South America. Then back to Seattle. I was a bit of a prankster as a teenager, not so much now, haha.
I’ve worked in and around the entertainment industry, so I have a whole treasure trove of story ideas and characters.
Is Tartan Deadlines a single title, or part of a series?
At present it is a stand alone. However, never say never! Originally, when I wrote Tartan Deadlines, I did it with at least three other books in mind. A series about four sisters at a certain age/time of their lives. So if Tartan Deadlines is well received, I will revisit the idea of a series.
What were your inspirations for the story?
Older women/younger men relationships, especially ones where the woman is a lot older are seldom written – if they are I am not aware of them. I saw a need. Apart from that my own background, relationships, especially one or two in particular.
Please share your setting for Tartan Deadlines. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Edinburgh Scotland is the primary setting for the book. I have visited there a few times, and love it. I have use of a “apartment” so I could stay longer if I want – live there. I love old cities like Edinburgh – London. We don’t really have that history in the United States. New York City is the other setting, and I have spent a lot of time there. I have had relatives and friends who live or have lived there. I’m not sure I could ever make it a permanent residence. But I love it when I go – so much to see and do, and I get into “trouble” whenever I visit.
When did the writing bug first bite?
I can’t remember when I didn’t write – but when I was in high school I had a phenomenal Creative Writing teacher who encouraged me to pursue my writing professionally.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
So many! I love Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzie brother’s series! Victoria Roberts is another up and coming author with Scottish series. Anne Rice of course. Isabelle Allende. . .Sylvia Day, Myra Banks, Shayla Black, John Grisham the list keeps going. I love historical, contemporary, erotica, paranormal. . .
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
Oh boy! Let me see. . .Let’s make this easy – I’ll pick three older, established authors, and three newer. If not the roundtable would be huge!
Stephen King, Anne Rice and Isabelle Allende
Jennifer Ashley, Sylvia Day and Shayla Black
That could be a lively discussion!
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
I love to ride horses when time permits. I love to go antiquing and to travel. I do knit, read and listen to music to try and relax.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
Hogmanay in Edinburgh. It is the Scots word for the last day of the year, but really it’s a crazy New Year’s celebration that lasts a lot longer than a day – and as only the Scots can do it. You must go and partake or at least observe. It is unforgettable! And that’s all I’m sayin’ on the matter. . .
Author Information
In the three short years since Jamie Salisbury began publishing her Romance stories, she has seen her books soar to #1 on Amazon. Her novella Tudor Rubato was a finalist in the 2012 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) award, and the cover won for Best Contemporary Cover. Now in 2014, her novel Life and Lies has been nominated for a RONE in the Erotica category. She has expanded her audience to include several now published by Secret Cravings Publishing.
Her previous career in public relations has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless story ideas.
Author Links
Amazon Author Page ~ Blog ~ Facebook Page ~ Goodreads ~ Romance Novel Center ~ Twitter ~ Website
Excerpt #1
Rae looked up from the computer screen to see a man of about forty standing in the doorway. His height was slightly below the doorframe. He was tall. Wearing blue jeans and an Irish fisherman’s sweater with a pale blue shirt underneath, his dark brown hair contrasted off the sweater. Sable brown eyes observed her. His smile only increased his handsome good looks.
“You look good sitting there.” He boomed in a loud Scottish brogue. “I’m Rory MacGregor and welcome to MacGregor Communications Mrs. Spencer.”
Rae started to get up out of her chair, but her legs felt like jelly. She finally got hold of herself, stood and met him halfway.
“It’s so good to finally meet you, Mr. MacGregor.”
He extended his hand and took Rae’s in a firm grip.
“And it’s good to meet you as well. Please call me Rory. I don’t believe in old fashioned formalities in the office.”
“Well then Rory, please…call me Rae.”
He sauntered into the office and sat down in one of the two leather and chrome chairs strategically placed in front of the glass and chrome desk.
“Very well how about if I introduce you properly to the staff? I can give you a run down on what everyone does. I know it’ll boggle your mind for a week or two but you’ll learn quickly.”
“That sounds good.” she replied, trying not to look at him too directly.
Damn Shawn! He hadn’t told her Rory MacGregor was not only a younger man he had failed to let her know how handsome a man he was. Not that she was interested. A relationship with a man was the furthest thing from Rae’s mind since all the nastiness with Duncan, the divorce…his girlfriend.
My, my…deception has run amuck in this book. Between Rae’s ex-husband, best friend and son, it’s a wonder that she kept everything together. But guess what, the love of a good man will do that for you. The situations that Rae found herself in with her old life in the States were true to life and realistically written. A douche for a ex-husband, a son that was disrespectful and just plan mean and then let’s not forget her supposedly best friend, Carol. Ooooo, let’s just say this, what comes around, goes around and after what Rory planned for them…WOOT! Brilliant ending to them and good riddance.
As Ms. Salisbury states in her interview, there isn’t much in the romance world about an older woman (around 60) and her younger man (40). Just because a woman is older doesn’t mean that she dries up and doesn’t have sex or even think about it anymore. I think older women think about it more. Plus, when you read a story with the hero/heroine older, you don’t have to worry about the accidental baby or the emotional issues in younger hero/heroines. They know what they want and go for it. Of course, Rae didn’t know what hit her when she moved to Scotland, landed a job and her boss was Scottish royalty and hawt! Plus, throw in that she was trying to send a manuscript to a publisher. I thought that Ms. Salisbury handled that part of Rae’s life realistically. She has been there so you can “see” the trials that an author goes through trying to get published.
I will say though that this book has a lot going on with it. Lots of subplots, twists and turns that keep you on your toes. I picked this one up and finished it in one day. Yes, it’s that good and it never disappointed. From Rory’s parents (loved them…even his mom), to the total deception from Duncan (ex-husband) and Carol (best friend) and the Shawn her son. Wow! I’m still shaking my head after all the crap they pulled that a lesser heroine would have folded but Rae never did. Rory was truly her soul mate and partner in and out of work.
I would highly recommend Tartan Deadlines for the intriguing plot, great hero and heroine but more importantly Ms. Salisbury’s decision to write about an older couple and get it right. Of course, Scotland is on my bucket list since I’m Scottish. And yes, I know what my clan color is and I love it.
Fetching Love was my last
Thanks for the spotlight, interview and review of Tartan Deadlines – I had to actually look up my GR shelf to see what contemporary book I read last – not that I’m good at updating it either….lol and i think it was The Collector of Dying Breaths – if that qualifies…..lol…I’m behind on posting things …sigh…anyway I like the sound of Tartan Deadlines – it’s not everyday that you get an older heroine and it’s nice to see older women get a story – you don’t just fade off into the sunset when you’re over 40…..lol
Thanks for having me!