Brita Addams, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your series.

Thank you for having me, Kayelle. I’m happy to be back.

Virtuous Intentions in the Southworth Saga

Genre – Historical Romance/Historical Fiction, set in 1870s New Orleans

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG-13

Lured by the promise of a substantial inheritance, ne’er-do-well English aristocrat, Avery Southworth, sets sail for America. Avery’s purpose is to revive his uncle’s war-ravaged plantation, and make it, once again, a profitable enterprise. A task made easier when one possesses land management skills, but that man isn’t Avery Southworth. He brings with him his valet, Elijah Goran, the man Avery has depended upon for years to make him look good in all things.

Avery’s death at sea compels Elijah to make a well-intentioned decision. With the simple words, “Are you Mr. Southworth?” he buries Elijah Goran and becomes a better version of his employer.

As Elijah’s recovery plan goes into full effect, he and the uncle’s ward, Cecily Petitpain, grow closer, a circumstance Elijah hadn’t foreseen, and one that threatens his tenuous grasp of the situation. Cecily has seen her share of disappointment and heartache, and considers honesty the single most important quality in a man.

Time and again, opportunities to clear his conscience go the way of the wind. When circumstances unexpectedly force his hand, can he find a way to his virtuous truth, without destroying the delicate trust that is paramount to the woman he loves?

Which book is this in the series?

Virtuous Intentions is the first book in the Southworth Saga.

How many books do you plan for the series?

At the moment, I plan two, though there is the possibility that I’ll do more.

How many books are completed?

One, Virtuous Intentions, is completed. Raison D’Etre is in the works, and will likely be available early next year.

What characters are the main stars in your series?

Each book will have its own main characters, with many of the characters crossing over. Elijah Goran and Cecily Petitpain are the stars of Virtuous Intentions, and they will appear in Raison D’Etre, though briefly.

What is the overall theme in this series?

While we have romance, in all its incarnations, the first theme that comes to mind is selfishness vs unabashed selflessness. Of course, the story is deeper than that, but that is the tinder that kindled the flame that is the story.

Please list the series titles below, in any order you prefer.

Virtuous Intentions

Raison D’Etre

What did you like best about writing this series?

As with any book I write, I love the research. That starts me on the journey I take to fashion the story, and takes a good six months to complete before I ever write a word. I do, however, love the creation of story. I’m considered a pantser, which means I create the story, for the most part, as I type. This is partially true, in that I let the story take me where it needs to go. On occasion, the characters lead me, other times, the story dictates are particular path.

Outlining a story is something I rarely do, and knowing the end before I write a word isn’t something I wish to do. With each development in the story, the direction changes, so overall preplanning doesn’t work for me. I do take note of certain plot points I want to hit, and even they might change, but I strive to include them, if they continue to benefit the story.

I enjoy setting my story against a historical backdrop, with actual historical events and historical figures playing a part in the story. Getting that part right is important. Details matter.

In writing Virtuous Intentions, I explored the human need to help others, without regard for one’s safety, emotional or physical. The antithesis of that is, of course, selfishness, which abounds in one character. Redemption is also a part of the mix. With this book, I gave my characters the opportunity to put everything on the line, fully aware of the outcome, should things go awry. I believe they learned things about themselves they mightn’t have known. I certainly did, which set the story off in an unexpected direction.

What other books (not in this series, have you written?)

My writing journey started in 2010 with the Sapphire Club Series –
Lucien & Serenity
Prentice & Desiree
Thornhill’s Dilemma.
Standalones are:
For Men Like Us
Demands of the Heart
Her Timeless Obsession
The Tarnished Series:
Tarnished Gold
Tarnished Past – Beloved Unmasked
Tarnished Souls – Frankie & Gent
Delacroix Saga:
Cedar Grove
After Dark Rag
Free Read:
An Evening at the Starlight, available on my website

All are historical romance, except the Delacroix Saga. That his pure historical fiction. There have been others, but as they fell out of contract, I withdrew them from availability. They didn’t represent my best work.

Where can we find links for all your books?

https://www.amazon.com/Brita-Addams/e/B003Y1ZAZW

Where to buy Virtuous Intentions

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y85D4RF/

Brita Addams Social Media

Prompted by her love of history, writer of historical fiction and historical romance, Brita Addams has tromped around old cemeteries and dusty town hall basements for over twenty-five years as a non-professional genealogist. She’s uncovered some juicy stories about her ancestors that may, or may not have already found their way into her writing. For several years, she lectured on genealogy aboard cruise ships, as part of their Enrichment Programs.
Having grown up in blustery Upstate New York, Brita has lived in the sultry South for many years. She has a loving, supportive family, including her native New Orleanian husband, who makes killer gumbo and potato salad. After years in the Big Easy, she and her husband moved to the Frog Capital of the World (yes, that’s a thing,) to be closer to two of their three grown children. She is Grammie to grandpuppy, Fiona, a maltipoo who has stolen her heart, as well as two grandsons and a granddaughter. She celebrates life everyday, well aware of how fragile life is.
Website – https://www.britaaddams.net
Blog https://www.britaaddams.net/blog-1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/britaaddams
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/britaaddams
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4093476.Brita_Addams
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Brita-Addams/e/B003Y1ZAZW/