Bronwyn Stuart stopped in to discuss the first book in her Daughters of Disgrace series, The Road to Ruin!
Welcome to Tule! What is one thing you can tell our readers that no one else knows about you?
Oh gosh! Asking the hard question straight up! It’s so silly but I have to eat little snacks in twos. Cheetos, m&ms and small things like peanuts. One for each side of my mouth to chew on. Completely ridiculous but since I’m not a private person, there’s not much people don’t already know about me.
Daniella is such a strong female character in a time where women are historically more subservient. Where did you draw inspiration for her?
My mother raised me to be outspoken and quite opinionated and anyone who follows my socials knows I’m not shy or quiet. I need my heroines to have a lot of backbone, even if it might be hidden at first. I guess I drew inspiration from the opposite of subservient and where that might lead a young woman who is used to running the decks of a pirate ship who suddenly finds herself bound by the constraints of society and her pressures. Almost all of my heroines are strong women who find themselves in positions of losing that feeling of power and having to try to find a way to get it back.
How do you relate to James and Daniella, and how do you hope readers will relate to them?
I think Daniella and James are both pre-judged by London society and while James thinks he needs to restore his family honour and toe the line, Daniella can’t imagine why anyone would want to be told what to do and when to do it. It comes back to subservient women I think and how I can’t stand that attitude. James starts out thinking he can control Daniella and that she’s just wild and irresponsible but as you get to know them both, you realise it’s so much more than that.
What’s at stake and what they’ll both have to give up to find true love on an equal level, it’s what all relationship goals should look like.
What was your favorite scene to write and why?
At one point in the last half of the book James and Daniella find themselves prisoner aboard a pirate ship (not her father’s). This is where we get to meet Darius, who is amazing btw (book 2), and it also forces an even closer proximity for James and Daniella to explore their feelings. It was a delicious chapter to write!
What are you currently reading?
Eve Dangerfield’s Silver Daughters Ink series. I usually read one historical and then one contemporary that’s light and sexy and fun. I’ve loved the first two books and can’t wait for the third to be released!
About the Author
Bronwyn Stuart is a multi-published, award-winning author of both contemporary and historical romantic fiction. Her latest Regency series, Daughters of Disgrace, will be released July 2020 by Tule Publishing. She and her shoe collection share a house in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, kids, dogs and cat. She’s a sucker for a love story and a bad boy. You can find out more at www.bronwynstuart.com
