Historical Fiction Book Club Interview with Meara Platt

It was an honor to be interviewed by the Historical Fiction Book Club on Facebook, and while my interview won't post there for another few weeks, I am happy to share a preview of it today. If you're a fan of Historical Fiction, make sure you visit and join the Facebook group! 

HFBC: Are you a reader/writer?
MP: Yes, to both.  I’m a writer of historical romance novels, but also an avid reader of romance – historical and contemporary, mystery, fantasy, and other genres including non-fiction. 

HFBC: What are your fondest memories of reading?
MP: When I was about 6 years old my parents bought me two beautifully illustrated children’s books, one about King Arthur and Merlin, and the other about Robin Hood.  I vividly remember going to sleep each night reading these stories and staring at the magical illustrations in the books, Merlin casting a spell, Arthur pulling Excalibur out of the stone, Robin Hood encountering Little John and Friar Tuck, and Robin Hood falling in love with Maid Marian.  I would say that the love story between Robin and Marian was my first glimpse of historical romance and I loved it. 

HFBC: What is your favorite snack & drink while reading/writing?
MP: That’s an easy one!  Coca-cola and malted milk balls.  I know, I wish I could tell you that I drink green tea and munch on carrots, but that’s not me.  My waistline probably reflects that – but I do try to eat well-balanced meals so that I don’t feel guilty when I sink onto the couch with coke and malted milk balls at my side on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

HFBC: Why do you like to read/write historical novels?  
MP: In my day job as a lawyer, I constantly read and write rather dry material, so I look forward to being swept into another land, another time.  Also, being in NYC and working here for so many years, I’ve met and worked with some pretty famous and important people, so often, contemporary romances unless written very well are fairly boring to me.  I’ve often been there, done that in my day job – meeting CEO’s, dealing with financiers and real estate barons, fighting in tax court – so, the story has to be really special to wow me.  However, a medieval knight, Scot in a kilt, or Regency duke or earl – now that’s fun!  

HFBC: Any other things you’d like to share? 
MP: My debut novel, My Fair Lily, which is Book #1 of the Farthingale Series is out now and seems to be doing quite nicely on Amazon.  It’s a light-hearted Regency historical romance that I hope your book club members will find funny and romantic.  Lily is an English bluestocking who knows everything about books and nothing about men, except that her legs turn to pudding whenever she encounters Ewan, the rugged Scottish hero who tries very hard not to fall in love with her.  The Farthingale’s are a large and boisterous family and Lily Farthingale is but one of their daughters about to make her entrance into Society.  Lily has an identical twin sister, Daffodil, whose story will be coming out in January 2015 called The Duke I’m Going To Marry.  Each of the five Farthingale girls will have their own story – they each have distinct personalities, and manage to add gray hairs on their father’s head in very different ways.

It was such a thrill to get to answer these questions and more during the interview. Make sure to keep an eye on the Historical Fiction Book Club for the full interview. To read the first chapter of My Fair Lily, click here. 

I'd love to know how my readers would answer some of these questions. Tell me, what are some of your fondest memories when it comes to reading, or what do you like to snack on when reading? What do you like best about historical novels?