Collette Cameron

Hi there! *waves enthusiastically while probably spilling tea on my keyboard* I'm Collette Cameron, and I write steamy Scottish historical romance that'll have you swooning over kilted heroes while also solving mysteries because, let's be honest, who doesn't love a man in a kilt who can also crack a case?

I've always been a hopeless romantic (just ask my husband of over 30 years who still makes my heart flutter), but my journey to becoming a romance author wasn't exactly straightforward. Before I started writing about dashing Highlanders and feisty heroines, I spent years as a teacher, pouring my creative energy into lesson plans and trying to convince teenagers that history wasn't boring. Spoiler alert: it worked better when I snuck in stories about scandalous love affairs and castle intrigue!

My writing journey began one rainy Oregon afternoon (we have a lot of those here!) when I decided to finally put pen to paper and write the kind of historical romance I'd always wanted to read. You know the type - where the chemistry between characters practically sizzles off the page, but there's also a meaty mystery to solve and enough historical accuracy to make history buffs happy. Because why should we have to choose between swooning and sleuthing?

In "Virtue and Valor," I got to bring together everything I love about romance writing. My hero, Bartholomew Yancy (yes, I spend way too much time picking the perfect names), is the kind of complex character that keeps me up at night - a notorious English earl with secrets deeper than a Scottish loch. And my heroine? Well, she's the kind of strong-willed Scottish lass who'd rather solve mysteries than sit pretty at tea parties. Their enemies-to-lovers journey is exactly the kind of emotional rollercoaster I live for as both a reader and writer.

When I'm not writing (or researching obscure Scottish clan histories at 3 AM), you'll find me in my garden, probably talking to my roses while my family pretends not to notice. I'm also slightly obsessed with my pets, drinking far too much tea, and collecting vintage teacups that my husband swears are multiplying when we're not looking.

My writing style? Think Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie, but with steamier scenes and more men in kilts. I believe in crafting stories where the historical details feel authentic (yes, I've spent hours researching what kind of buttons would be on a gentleman's waistcoat in 1815), but the emotions feel raw and real. Because while fashions and social customs may change, the heart wants what it wants, whether it's 1815 or 2023.

What can you expect from my books? Passion, mystery, and enough plot twists to keep you guessing until the very end. My heroes are strong but vulnerable, my heroines are fierce but feminine, and my villains... well, they're deliciously complex enough to make you question everything you thought you knew. Plus, there's always tea. Lots of tea. (Did I mention I'm slightly obsessed?)

I absolutely love connecting with readers (seriously, it's the best part of this whole author gig). You can find me on social media, probably sharing too many pictures of my garden or gushing about my latest historical research rabbit hole. Fair warning: if you mention Scottish history or romance tropes, I might talk your ear off!

To my readers - thank you for joining me on this adventure. Whether you're a longtime historical romance fan or just discovering the genre, I promise to keep delivering stories that'll make you laugh, cry, swoon, and maybe learn a thing or two about Scottish history along the way. (Though I can't promise you'll remember the history lessons when the hero takes his shirt off...)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a handsome Highlander waiting in my manuscript who's been giving me the side-eye for spending too much time away from his story. Time to get back to creating the kind of happily-ever-afters we all deserve!