Two Sinful Secrets (39 page)

People always ask: “Where do you get your ideas for books?” Usually I don’t have a
clue. But in the case of WHERE ANGELS REST, I actually recall the two seedlings of
ideas that ultimately grew into this story. The first was a trailer on TV for an upcoming
talk show. The interview was to be with a mother who had chased her child’s rapist
from state to state for years, basically raising hell wherever he tried to surface.

I never saw the show, but I remember thinking,
That would make a great heroine:
a woman who has dedicated her life to exposing someone she knows is dangerous.

Dr. Erin Sims was born.

The second idea evolved more gradually, but I can still name it: It’s the town where
I grew up. You see, I’m from Hopewell, Ohio. Well, not really, because there is no
“Hopewell” in Ohio—at least not one I could find on a map. But I grew up in
a
Hopewell. Towns like my fictitious Hopewell are scattered all over the Midwest and,
for that matter, the whole country. They’re chock-full of sleepy charm, and they provide
the perfect haven for someone battered and beaten by the evils of the larger world.

Sheriff Nick Mann was born.

When the two ideas merged—a man protecting the
sanctity of a town that appears peaceful, and a woman who knows that appearances can
be deceiving—I knew I had the makings for a story.

In WHERE ANGELS REST, Erin Sims takes her hunt for a demented serial killer to a quaint
town that couldn’t possibly harbor such evil. There she unearths secrets Nick Mann
refuses to believe—after he’s spent years working to make Hopewell his refuge from
a tortured past and a safe haven for his daughter’s future. Eventually he can’t deny
the truth, no more than he can deny that the fire in Erin Sims has reignited not only
his long-buried passion for police work but also his long-denied desire for love.

I hope you’ll enjoy the ride as Erin and Nick set out to unravel a demented villain’s
compulsion to silence the angels who are privy to horrific, long-hidden truths. And
while you’re at it, catch a glimpse of my next hero, Nick’s brother, who will hopefully
whet your appetite for the second book in the series, coming soon!

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a “theater geek”! My parents took me to see
a production of
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
when I was about six, and I loved everything about it—the costumes, the music, the
way it felt like an escape from the real world into Shakespeare’s fairy-tale woods.
I decided right then that I wanted to be an actress. I put on productions at home
(recruiting my little brother and our family dog to be the other performers) and made
my parents buy tickets. (Until I got in trouble for using my mom’s antique lace tablecloth
for a costume.)

Then I got older, did some community theater, and found out I was lacking one essential
element for being an actress—talent! But I’ve never lost my love of going to the theater.
There is just something about settling into one of those velvet seats, reading the
glossy program, waiting for the curtain to go up and a whole new world to be revealed.
I was so happy to “meet” the St. Claire family and have the chance to live in their
world for a while, to vicariously be part of the theater all over again.

The Victorian age was a great era for the theater. The enthusiastic patronage of Queen
Victoria meant that the theater was becoming more respectable, and actors and actresses
were more accepted in society. People like Ellen Terry and Henry Irving at the Lyceum
Theater were celebrities and artists, and a new style of theatergoing
was taking hold. The audience actually sat and watched the play in silence instead
of having supper and gossiping with their friends! Our modern idea of theater was
born in this time period.

I loved seeing my own St. Claire family in the very thick of this exciting period,
on the cusp between scandal and respectability! But with them, I think they will tend
more toward the scandal side of things…

I’m thrilled with how TWO SINFUL SECRETS turned out, and hope that you all enjoy it!

For those of you who have been asking me about the maddeningly mysterious Cameron
Daggett, well, the wait is over! Connor and Gryff—those two other devilishly dashing
Lords of Midnight—have been tamed by love, and now, in TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE, it’s
Cameron’s turn to meet his match. But trust me, it wasn’t easy to find a way to unlock
his heart.

The most cynical of the three friends, he had good reason to keep his feelings well
guarded, for he had been hurt in the past. Luckily I knew just the right lady to turn
the key. (Be advised that opening locks is not as easy as it might seem. Sometimes
it takes some very deft and clever manipulations to release all the little levers—as
several scenes in the book will show!) But of course, as this is a romance, Cameron
finds his happily-ever-after with Sophie Lawrance.

I, however, must confess to shedding a few tears on having my Lords of Midnight trilogy
come to an end. All of the characters have become such dear friends, so it’s hard
not to feel very sad as they move away from the cozy little neighborhood of my desk
to live in far-flung places all around the world. I’ll miss their wonderful company—we
had coffee together most every day for so long! However, it’s time to let them go
off and have their own future adventures, so I’m looking forward to making new friends
who will share my morning jolts of caffeine (along with those afternoon nibbles of
chocolate).

And speaking of new friends, I’ve already met a delightfully unconventional trio of
sisters with a passion for writing. Olivia, the eldest, pens fiery political essays;
Anna, middle sister, writes racy romance novels; and Caro, who is not quite out of
the schoolroom, is a budding poet. Of course, proper young Regency ladies of the
ton
—especially ones who have very small dowries—are not encouraged to have an interest
in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only thing they are encouraged to pursue is
an eligible bachelor. Preferably one with both a title and a fortune. So the headstrong,
opinionated Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret.

Ah, but we all know that secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble…

Alas, I can already report that Olivia has set off sparks with the Earl of Wrexham,
a paragon of propriety, who—

Oh, but that would be spoiling all the fun! I’ll let you read all about it for yourself.
All I’ll say is that I’m so excited about starting my new series! Please be sure to
check out my website
www.caraelliott.com
for more updates on the Hellions of Half Moon Street!

“In this intriguing first St. Claire Regency romance, McKee introduces a delightfully
down-to-earth heroine… Readers will cheer Lily in her quest for happiness, and look
forward to the sequels.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“McKee sweeps readers into an enthralling story with memorable characters, a powerful
plot and plenty of passion; it’s the ideal evening’s read that will leave readers
dreaming of a love like Lily and Aidan’s.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“A steamy, action-packed read… a vividly portrayed, sensual historical romance. Through
Ms. McKee’s beautiful prose, this story is brought to life, captivating the reader
from the very first page. Brimming with emotion, a century-long grudge, complex characters,
including an evil villain bent on revenge, witty banter, danger, suspense, sizzling
hot passion and romance, this story is a winner. I look forward to reading the next
story in this wonderful series.”

—RomanceJunkiesReviews.com

“As powerful and romantic as McKee’s fans could desire. McKee shows readers she is
a force to be reckoned with, an author who can turn a villain into a delicious hero.
The action, romance, suspense, and intriguing historical details all add to readers’
pleasure.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Stellar writing, a charismatic hero and fearless heroine, an amazing blend of suspense,
action, and romance,
Lady of Seduction
will entice, exasperate, and enchant readers without mercy… [The characters’] journeys
have been unforgettable and their happily-ever-afters rewarding beyond expectations.
As a devoted fan, I look forward to whatever stories come next. Laurel McKee books
are automatic ‘Must Buys.’ ”

—RomanceJunkiesReviews.com