A Modest Independence Blog Tour: Interview with Mimi Matthews

Bookworms! I’m so excited for this post! I have read quite a few of Mimi Matthews’s books and loved every one of them. I’m beyond ecstatic to be a part of this blog tour for A Modest Independence. I read and loved the first book in this series, A Matrimonial Advertisement, and cannot wait to read this new one. And…I got to ask Mimi Matthews questions! *faints*

If you love a historical romance, this is not a book (or a series) you want to miss.

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A MODEST INDEPENDENCE
BY MIMI MATTHEWS

Publication Date: April 23, 2019
Perfectly Proper Press
eBook; 400 Pages
Series: Parish Orphans of Devon (Book #2)
Genre: Historical Romance

He Needed Peace…

Attorney Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure…

Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | ITUNES | KOBO

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Interview with Mimi Matthews

BR: What first made you want to become a writer?

MM: It wasn’t a conscious decision. As a little girl, I was always thinking up stories. Soon, I was writing them down as well. I wrote my first novel when I was thirteen. When I was eighteen, that was the book that got me my first literary agent!

BR: What drew you to this genre specifically?

MM: There is nothing I love more than researching 19th century history. Setting romances in the Victorian era allows me to use that research to create characters that are uniquely Victorian. Not only are these men and women dealing with their attraction to each other, they’re struggling with all sorts of societal changes, ranging from industrialization to the suffrage movement. It’s wonderful to write.

BR: What first sparked this Parish Orphans of Devon series?

MM: I’m a big fan of tortured heroes. The idea of four Victorian orphan boys who grow into complicated men—each seeking to control their environment in some way—really appealed to me.

BR: What was your favorite part to write in A Modest Independence?

MM: This is a bit spoilery, but my favorite part to write was a very sad scene toward the end that happens at Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo.

BR: Is there some part of your writing process you think is unique to you?

MM: That’s a tough one. I’m not sure there is. I research a lot, I write a little, I procrastinate, I write a little more. I feel like a lot of writers probably work this way.  

BR: You have so much detail in your books. How much research goes into writing this time period?

MM: An enormous amount. Especially for a book like A Modest Independence which is set in multiple countries. I really wanted to do justice to Victorian India and Egypt. The cities and their inhabitants are so much more than exotic backdrops.

BR: What are you working on next? Can we expect another book in this series?

MM: There are two more Parish Orphans of Devon books to come. The next book—A Convenient Fiction—is Alex Archer’s story. It should be out in Fall of 2019. In the meanwhile, I may be releasing a standalone Regency romance this summer. Stay tuned!

BR: What are you currently reading?

MM: I recently read Clarissa Harwood’s book Impossible Saints. It was wonderfully good. I’ve just started her next book in the series, Bear No Malice. These books are set in the Edwardian era and the characters are extremely compelling.

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.

For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Wednesday, May 1
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past

Thursday, May 2
Interview at Bookish Rantings

Friday, May 3
Review at Based on a True Story

Saturday, May 4
Feature at What Is That Book About
Review & Interview at Courtney Clark

Sunday, May 5
Feature at Comet Readings

Monday, May 6
Review at Pursuing Stacie

Tuesday, May 7
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Wednesday, May 8
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Thursday, May 9
Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, May 10
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Feature at View from the Birdhouse

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Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we have two signed copies of A Modest Independence up for grabs!

Enter here!

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.