For the next few weeks, I’ll be posting mini-interviews with my fellow Cotillion Christmas Spirits authors. I thought it’d be fun to find out a little more about each author participating in the anthology, what draws them to Regency Romance, and what their favorite holiday memory or recipe might be. You’ll also learn a bit more about their story contribution to the anthology. Enjoy! Larissa

First up is author Barbara Miller…

LL: What draws you to write Regency romance?

Barbara: I wonder that myself.  Every time a Regency market dries up, I think, well that’s that. There’s no point in writing any more Regencies, yet I do anyway. I think it’s because characters are allowed, even expected, to be witty.  That can lighten even the darkest moments in a story. No matter how much I rant against the constraints of the Regency in women’s dress and social customs, I realize they form a comfortable structure on which to hang a story. I also like that the period was the heyday of the horse.

LL: “heyday of the horse” — I like that. Droppings aside, I often wish we all still rode horses instead of drive cars. Do you have a particular favorite story or Regency author?

Barbara: Georgette Heyer is my inspiration, and I think she reached her greatest form in The Infamous Army. It is actually more historical fiction than a simple Regency romance, but I read it over and over.

LL: I have to admit, the Heyer regencies I’ve tried have! been! so! sprinkled! with “!!!!!!!” I haven’t been able to make it past the first few pages, despite numerous attempts. I’ll try again with The Infamous Army if I run across it.

Do you have a favorite holiday recipe or memory you’d like to share with readers?

Barbara: This is my version of Lemon Curd.

1 cup sugar

¼ cup cornstarch

Three eggs

¼ cup canola oil

1 cup lemon juice

Mix sugar and cornstarch. Cream eggs into these dry ingredients to encapsulate the corn starch and prevent lumps. Then add the oil and lemon juice. Cook on medium high heat until it bubbles.  This can be eaten plain, used as a topping for cake, spread on toast, or stuffed into cream puffs.

LL: Cool! I love recipes made from scratch and this one is brand-new to me. I look forward to giving it a try!

What can you tell us about your story in Cotillion Christmas Spirits?

Barbara: I’ve always been fascinated by the Dickens Christmas Carol story in any of its many forms. In Dreams of Christmas I invented my own spirits of past, present, and Christmases yet to come to bring together a man and woman who almost met and just missed a chance at love. Lord Vance knows he can become a better person if only Sarah Pelham consents to marry him. She isn’t so sure, which puts them at odds. I had fun writing this story and hope readers enjoy it.

LL: How long have you been writing Regency? Do you have a favorite story of your own?

Barbara: I started writing Regencies in 1990. I did seven for Harlequin, four for Pocket and now four for Cerridwen. It’s like choosing between your children, but I have to say Music Master is my recent favorite since it took the most research. Of course I write other things: cozy mysteries, paranormal and YA, but I am so happy there is a still a market for Regencies.

LL: I confess to being something of a book miser. When we moved from the city to the country and I had to leave my favorite used bookstore behind, I started stocking up on regencies and historicals. I have a stack of those Harlequin regencies and now I want to dig through and see if you’re in it!

Do you have any other tidbits you’d like to share with readers?

Barbara: I live on a hundred and fifty acre farm that has inspired many of the outdoor settings for my Regencies. All I have to do is take a walk and I am transported to Amberly, Homeplace, Talltrees, Gaites Hall, Dorney Park, Byerly Hill, and all the other estates that fictionally reside in England.

I want to thank Barbara for spending some time here at Larissa’s Lair. I knew I was in great company when my story was selected for this anthology, and that’s only been cemented as I discovered more about Barbara and her writing. I encourage readers to visit her website and learn about her current projects.

Until next time!

Larissa (who hasn’t forgotten about posting more baking tips and recipes…but who  just completed her second Bottoms Up story– yes, Alyssa is thrilled–and who needs to rest away from the computer!)

Tags: Bottoms Up, Christmas, recipe, Regency romance