Olivia’s Pirate
by Maggie McIntyre
Released: Jul 22, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why this book and why now?
Olivia has been in my head for a while. I also have a fascination for Irish history, and went there in February to research Grace O’Malley, the famous pirate queen, who turns up in this book as a fictionalized character, ancestor to Niamh Fitzgerald, the other main character. They all jelled together to create the next installment of my series “Isabel and friends” about Bel Bridgford, my brilliant and funny climate-change campaigner who was the star in my very first Maggie McIntyre novel.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
Olivia’s name is at first a big turn-off for Niamh because as a patriotic Irish woman she still feels sore about what Oliver Cromwell did to Ireland, not that this was any of Olivia’s fault! Niamh is the name of an ancient Gaelic princess and means ‘shining one’ and Niamh certainly shines.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Olivia never watched much TV, but she is learning to like it these days, so watches a lot of Heartland with Niamh these days, because of all the horses in it. She thinks the characters are pretty silly though, and wishes Jack would shave off that awful mustache.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Olivia’s favorite book is Orlando by Virginia Woolf. She never knew why she liked it before now, but understands more these days.
Aside from the obvious food and shelter, what 3 things would your main character want with them if they got stranded away from civilization, and why?
Wet wipes, the collected works of Shakespeare and if she can’t have Niamh, then pictures of their wedding with her five nieces and nephews who were the ushers and bridesmaids.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it. What do they do?
Olivia would like a large double bed, a bottle of champagne, and glasses. Despite being fastidious, she’d also like a jar of the best chocolate spread. Having come late to sex, she is enjoying the prospect of licking the whole jar’s worth off Niamh’s body. Niamh would like to take Olivia riding up into the forest, and lie with her under the trees, looking up at the Harvest Moon, but she knows Olivia would worry about earwigs.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book!
Niamh and Olivia would probably both choose Irish whiskey, though Olivia has a secret fondness for sweet sherry, over ice in a long glass. She hasn’t yet told Niamh this though.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
“The Way You Look Tonight.” Olivia is still totally smitten by Niamh. She likes the really old songs of the early twentieth century and doesn’t think the modern stuff have anything as romantic to match them.
