Do you think it was vital for the female protagonist in this story, Lady Annabelle, to be a member of the ton and for the male protagonist, Reginald Mason, to be a member of the merchant class, instead of vice versa? If so, why?
MB: It was easier for a wealthy woman of the lower classes to marry into the ton than for a wealthy lower class man to do likewise. The reason is that the upper class husband would own the title and property and any sons of his marriage would bear his name and social standing and succeed to his inheritance. Although the wife might be frowned upon for her lowly origins, she would not be shunned. All of this would have been reversed with the woman marrying beneath herself socially. She would move down—her husband would not move up. If he was wealthy enough, of course, and could acquire land and education, he could gradually start the move upward, though it would probably take several generations to achieve and might never be quite complete. The British aristocracy have long memories.
Which character in this book showed the greatest personal courage throughout the story, and in what ways did he or she do so?
MB: Again I don't want to give away too much of the plot. But I would have to say Annabelle has the most to lose in the course of the story—her whole reputation and freedom and future, in fact. But she steers a steady course to achieving what she wants out of life, starting with a huge, irreversible risk.
Why do you think it’s particularly appropriate for A Matter of Class to be released just in time for Valentine’s Day?
MB: It is a love story! This, of course, could be said of any story written in the romance genre, but not all of them can be released in January or February. It is always a bonus for any writer of love stories to be given one of those months for the release of her book.
What type of books do you enjoy reading?
MB: Anything and everything that can hold my interest through the first 50 pages or so. I probably read more detective novels than anything else. Favorite authors in this genre are Michael Connelly, P. D. James, and Reginald Hill.
Why do you think you’re drawn to writing romance?
MB: I believe in love in all its many manifestations. I also believe in the power of love to give life meaning and direction and dignity. I don't like to dwell upon doom and gloom. Unfortunately, our news media dwell upon them almost to the exclusion of all else. I want my writing to counter that eternal pessimism, to show an alternative way of dealing with life. I refuse to accept the notion that love stories are unrealistic. So is most of the news!
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