I asked Mary about her new book and how she came up with the idea for Wicked Wager.
Although I am boringly feminine now, when I was a kid I was a
tomboy. I loved climbing trees, riding bikes, fishing and camping. I also loved
animals, and although I had few opportunities to be around horses, I’m sure if
I had a chance I would have been “horse mad” like my heroine, Penelope (Penny)
Montgomery.
That’s really where the story for Wicked Wager started. I envisioned a grown-up tomboy, who loves to
be outside working with horses. Penny has no interest in most “lady-like”
pursuits and she’s fiercely independent. Of course, to make it fun, I paired
Penny with a man who appears to be her opposite. Marcus Revington lives in London and makes his
living as a gamester, spending most of his time in gambling hells and clubs.
He’s elegant and well-dressed and what we would consider “debonair”. Quite a
contrast to Penny, with her men’s clothing and messy hair!
But even though Penny and Marcus appear to be opposites, they are actually
a lot alike. They are both down-to-earth, unpretentious people who work hard
and are very loyal to the people they care about. But it takes them a long time
to discover the things they have in common. And by the time they do, there are complications
that put their “happily ever after” very much jeopardy.
What do you like best about your hero?
What do you like best about your heroine?
I really enjoyed writing Penny’s story because she is lively and
fun.
So enough of this current summer heat. Let's go back in time to another kind of fun heat with Wicked Wager, this week's summer getaway reading:
When hardened gamester
Marcus Revington wins Horngate Manor in a card game, he is delighted to finally
own property. Even discovering he must marry the heiress of the estate doesn’t
deter him. The heiress, Penny Montgomery, is happy with her life raising horses
at Horngate and has no desire to wed anyone. When she learns about her
guardian’s Wicked Wager, she schemes
to convince Marcus she’s unsuitable as a wife so he’ll forget his plan to marry
her. Who will win this battle of wits and wills? Or will they both discover the
name of the game is love?
Sounds like a perfect book to read by the beach, pool or sitting in the shade while you're out camping or in the evening on the patio. Let's read an excerpt.
Both men turned
at the sound of hoof beats. A huge stallion came barreling down the drive, its
rider bent low over the withers. Halfway to the house, the rider reined in the
magnificent animal. Blowing and snorting, the beast slowed to a trot and,
finally, a walk. As horse and rider approached, Marcus couldn’t help gaping at
the young woman controlling the stallion. He'd never seen a female ride like that
before!
She halted the
stallion, and before either of them could assist her, leapt down and faced them.
The woman was dressed in soiled men’s clothing and her brown hair hung down in
messy wisps around her face. “So, which one of you is the London bloke I’m supposed to wed?”
James gestured
to Marcus. “This is Mr. Revington. I’m James Ludingham, his solicitor.”
The woman
extended a grimy hand to Marcus. “Pleased to meet you.”
Marcus stared at
her in astonishment “You’re Miss Montgomery?"
"Yes, but
you can call me Penny, everyone does. The house is there, see.” She pointed.
“Mrs. Foxworthy will offer you something if you knock. I really can’t be
bothered with playing hostess. I’ve got to get back to the stables. We’re
gelding the colts today and they need me to do the cauterizing. Good meeting
you though, Mr. Revington, Mr. Ludingham.”
She turned and
mounted the stallion, then cantered back down the lane.
“Hmmm,” James
said. “What were you saying about marrying the woman sight unseen?”
Marcus
swallowed, trying to get over his shock. “I’ll allow she is a bit eccentric,
but that hardly matters. It’s really quite simple. She’ll go her way and I’ll
go mine.” His words belied the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Gads!
The chit was an utter hoyden. He'd encountered Covent
Garden orange girls who had more polish than Miss Montgomery. But
at least she wasn't unattractive. Despite the dirt and her disheveled hair, she
had huge blue eyes and pert, pretty features, and the masculine clothing she
wore only served to emphasize her leggy but clearly feminine form.
“There is the
small matter of the marriage ceremony," James reminded him. "Unless
you think to get a clergyman to perform the rites in the barn, you may have a
problem.”
“Well, she’s bound to come back to
the house sometime. We’ll discuss the details then. Meanwhile, I’m starved.
Let’s hope this Mrs. Foxworthy is a bit more hospitable than her mistress.”
Here are the links to buy Wicked Wager.
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wicked-wager-mary-gillgannon/1121799505?ean=2940151266314
The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6209
Thank you, Mary, for being my guest. Any questions or comments for Mary?