And now I think it’s time to let you off the Author’s Note hook. I’ve been rambling for hours about stuff that doesn’t even matter, and you’re probably tired and needing some sleep. So here’s wishing you a good night’s sleep and hoping that handsome, dashing, 1950 Two Weeks with Love visits your dreams!
~ Marcia Lynn McClure
One Classic Latin Lover, Please Trivia Snippets
Snippet #1—As a freshman in high school, my best friend and I taught ourselves to play the guitar. Oh, sure, we had an official class, “Beginning Guitar,” that appeared on our high school class schedule. But the class was instructed by the school’s choral teacher; we’ll call him Mr. Shots. Why is the fact that Mr. Shots taught the Beginning Guitar class even relevant? Well, it’s relevant because Mr. Shots was always drunk. Oh, he was a nice old guy, in truth. He’d get up and lead the school in the fight song every assembly, and somehow our school choral groups always managed to pull off some sort of performance. But at eight am every morning when “Beginning Guitar” was scheduled, Mr. Shots was either already drunk and sitting in his office or sitting in his office getting drunk. Therefore, my best friend and I spent the class time teaching ourselves to play guitar.
Anyway, I digress. So by the middle to end of our freshman year of high school, my BFF and I were pretty good little guitar players. I mean, we weren’t proficient at like “Stairway to Heaven” or anything, but we could strum or pick a good tune. And since both of us sang as well, we performed here and there together.
My BFF was also a pianist, however, so as freshman year ended, I spent a lot more time playing my guitar in my room than she probably did. The result was that I began to take flamenco guitar lessons, having grown a little tired of pop songs and folk songs.
So the point of this snippet is purely for trivia’s sake. Though I can’t play it anymore (I gave up guitar in college—long story), I used to be pretty good at playing flamenco guitar, drumming my fingers on the wood of the guitar’s face as I strummed and everything! YouTube a popular video of the song “Malagueña” (maybe cliché but still my favorite to play back then) or even of Charo playing—she’s awesome!
Snippet #2—Yep, Tierney’s name was inspired by one of my favorite “Golden Age of Hollywood” actresses, Gene Tierney. Loved her in Laura and everything else I’ve ever seen her in. And, yes, Gene Tierney is why Rome and Tierney are dancing to Ella Fitzgerald’s version (my favorite) of “Laura” on Christmas Eve.
Snippet #3—Absolutely! Rome’s last name, Novak, was absolutely inspired by the beautiful Kim Novak (for whom one of my sister-in-laws is middle-named, by the way). I will admit to being a little worried when one of my dear friends asked me what the name of my hero for this book was. I answered, “Rome Novak!” and she smiled and said, “Hmmm. Sounds kind of like a little Polish apple or something.”
Snippet #4—Not only is “Silent Night” my favorite Christmas carol, but over the years I’ve begun to realize that it is perhaps my very favorite song. I love “Silent Night”; it soothes me, calms my soul, and inspires me. And I do own a rendition done on guitar that will bring the listener to tears almost every time. I love it!
Snippet #5—Nikki! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my inspiration for Nikki Novak’s character and Halloween costume: my friend Nikki! Nikki is a fellow movie soundtrack lover and a dear, dear supportive friend. In fact, now that I think about it, I would term Nikki a movie soundtrack aficionado—a true expert on the subject of good, worthy, beautiful, inspirational movie soundtracks, and music overall. Furthermore, and most importantly, I find that any time I see Nikki’s smile, I feel better through and through; Nikki’s smile is medicinal to me. And the first time I saw this photo of Nikki dressed like Professor Trelawney from Harry Potter, I laughed out loud with amusement, happiness, and just plain cheerfulness! The mere sight of Nikki and her smile cheers me, and it was never more evident in a photograph than in this one. So thank you, Nikki Nikki Noo Noo! I love you!
To the man of my dreams…
My husband, Kevin!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marcia Lynn McClure’s intoxicating succession of novels, novellas, and e-books—including Dusty Britches, The Whispered Kiss, The Haunting of Autumn Lake, and The Bewitching of Amoretta Ipswich—has established her as one of the most favored and engaging authors of true romance. Her unprecedented forte in weaving captivating stories of western, medieval, regency, and contemporary amour void of brusque intimacy has earned her the title “The Queen of Kissing.”
Marcia, who was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has spent her life intrigued with people, history, love, and romance. A wife, mother, grandmother, family historian, poet, and author, Marcia Lynn McClure spins her tales of splendor for the sake of offering respite through the beauty, mirth, and delight of a worthwhile and wonderful story.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beneath the Honeysuckle Vine
A Better Reason to Fall in Love
The Bewitching of Amoretta Ipswich
Born for Thorton’s Sake
The Chimney Sweep Charm
Christmas Kisses
A Crimson Frost
Daydreams
Desert Fire
Divine Deception
Dusty Britches
The Fragrance of her Name
A Good-Lookin’ Man
The Haunting of Autumn Lake
The Heavenly Surrender
The Highwayman of Tanglewood
Kissing Cousins
The Light of the Lovers’ Moon
Love Me
The Man of Her Dreams
The McCall Trilogy
Midnight Masquerade
An Old-Fashioned Romance
One Classic Latin Lover, Please
The Pirate Ruse
The Prairie Prince
The Rogue Knight
Romantic Vignettes
Saphyre Snow
Shackles of Honor
The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich
Sudden Storms
Take a Walk With Me
The Tide of the Mermaid Tears
The Time of Aspen Falls
To Echo the Past
The Touch of Sage
The Trove of the Passion Room
Untethered
The Visions of Ransom Lake
Weathered Too Young
The Whispered Kiss
The Windswept Flame