PHOTO: Lorraine Heath, bestselling author of over 80 novels, photographed by Kayla Marie Photography.
From Victorian Intrigue to Texan Grit, A Journey of Passion and Prose
Lorraine Heath reveals her inspirations, writing process, and the personal heritage that shapes her bestselling stories across historical and contemporary romance genres.
Lorraine Heath has long enchanted readers with her emotionally resonant tales, weaving love, history, and heart into each novel she pens. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, her name is synonymous with richly drawn characters—rebels, scoundrels, and rogues—who linger in the imagination long after the final page. With a voice that bridges her British roots and Texan spirit, she crafts stories that are both timeless and profoundly human. In this exclusive conversation with Reader’s House Magazine, Lorraine Heath reflects on her storied career, the joys and challenges of writing under multiple pen names, and how she balances the allure of Victorian England with the grit of contemporary romance. From her latest historical release A Tempest of Desire to a sneak peek at what’s next in the Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James series, Heath offers a glimpse into the artistry and authenticity behind her beloved novels.
Lorraine Heath delivers unforgettable characters and emotionally rich stories that resonate with readers around the world.
In your ‘Once Upon a Dukedom’ series, how did you develop the character of Lady Kathryn Lambert and her journey towards securing her inheritance?
I am an exploration writer. I don’t outline the story or work on character development before I begin writing the story. I usually have an idea of the conflict that is keeping the two main characters apart. And I start writing, in order to discover where the story and characters will lead me. The disadvantage to this approach is that I usually have major revisions once the draft is completed. Additional scenes that are needed; scenes that should be deleted because they don’t fit with the story or characters. But this approach has worked for me for more than 30 years. I think it’s important for novice writers to realize that everyone has their own process, and they just need to determine what works best for them.
“I am an exploration writer. I don’t outline the story or work on character development before I begin writing.” – Lorraine Heath
Your upcoming ‘Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James’ Book 5 is set for release in November 2025. Can you share insights into this continuation?
Unfortunately, I’ve had some health issues that have made it difficult to focus on the writing. Therefore, the upcoming Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James book scheduled for November 2025—A Midnight Proposal—will not be released until sometime in 2026. But I decided to return to the series for a couple of books because it features the sons and daughters of the characters in the series, The Scoundrels of St. James, which is a favorite among my readers, and I often receive requests for more stories about their children.
Having authored over 80 novels, what inspires your diverse storytelling across historical and contemporary romance genres?
Historical is my first love and I began my career writing historical romance. I enjoy researching life during the Victorian era. When I was offered the opportunity to write a young adult novel, I discovered writing contemporary was like taking a little vacation because the stories are a bit lighter. By writing both I feel like I’ve been able to keep my stories from becoming stale. I’ve also written an historical fiction novel that takes place during WWII and was inspired by the training of British pilots in Texas.
Could you discuss the challenges and rewards of writing under pseudonyms like Rachel Hawthorne and J.A. London?
I decided to write using pseudonyms to ensure my readers knew exactly what sort of story they were getting. Rachel Hawthorne writes more lighthearted contemporaries aimed at a young adult market. J.A. London is the pseudonym under which my son Alex and I wrote a grittier vampire trilogy aimed at an older teen audience.
How does your Texan heritage influence the settings and characters in your historical romance novels?
Both my Texas and British heritage influence my writing. My dad was a Texan stationed at RAF Bovingdon following WWII. My mother grew up near London with bombs falling around her. They met at a USO dance. My parents shared stories about their youth. My mom also shared insights into what it was like adjusting to a life different from the one in which she’d grown up. Therefore, I enjoy weaving both heritages in my stories, bringing Brits to Texas and taking Texans to Britain.
What research process do you follow to authentically portray the historical periods in your series?
I read a lot of non-fiction books that highlight various aspects of Victorian life. For A Midnight Proposal, my heroine is found guilty of murder so I read Misjudged Murderesses by Stephen Jakobi which followed the arrest and trials of a few women who in hindsight were believed to be innocent. A hero who writes murder mysteries? The Invention of Murder by Judith Flanders. A heroine who flies a hot air balloon? Balloonomania Belles by Sharon Wright. I love finding little known facts and very often something I discover plants the seed for a future story.
How do you maintain reader engagement in long-running series like ‘Scoundrels of St. James’?
I like to include scenes with the other characters in the series and create a bit of intrigue around them so readers want to read their stories as well.
What advice would you offer aspiring authors aiming to write compelling romance novels?
I think it’s important that aspiring authors understand exactly what a romance novel is. Every romance is a love story but not every love story is a romance. The main focus of the story should be on the relationship developing between the main characters. And a romance must have a happily ever after.
I would also advise aspiring writers not to be discouraged by the first draft. It won’t be perfect. It might not even be all that was envisioned for the story and that’s fine. The draft provides an opportunity to explore the story and characters. During the revision process, the story can be fleshed out. But mostly I would advise aspiring writers to enjoy the process and have fun with the writing.
