How to Marry a Major - Book Tour and Giveaway

​When a fake betrothal becomes real, can two people find love? 

How To Marry a Major
B.A.D. Guide Series Book 1
by Tina Holland
Genre: Historical Regency Romance 

Following her Ne’er do well husband’s scandalous demise, Charlotte Wold is forced to become a governess. Never intending to marry again, this arrangement suits Charlotte just fine.

The bastard son of a powerful nobleman, Major Myles Ashton’s military service left him injured. When he returns home to stay with his brother, he’s shocked to find Charlotte again, a woman he never thought he’d see again after sharing a night together.

When desperation leads to a pretend attachment, scandal ensures the marriage is anything but pretend. Can Charlotte learn to love Myles? Or will she be doomed to another dreary marriage?


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​As he closed the door, he heard a simultaneous click behind him. Years of war and instinct forced him to pivot and face this new challenge. His leg objected and he released a moan.
“Are you all right?”
Standing before him was the woman who had been ever-present in his mind this past year. If possible, she was perhaps more lovely. He scanned her and couldn't distinguish the curves he recalled the night he held her. She wore a drab gown. Was she a servant in his brother’s house? And how had she arrived here?
“Major Ashton?” she tested her voice. She gripped the door handle behind her. Her entire stance indicated she was ready to flee.
Curiosity overrode his manners. “Who are you?”
She released the handle and fisted her hands at her sides before taking a step toward him. “I am Charlotte Wold. Widow of the late Reverend Wold.”
Her light red hair was pulled back from her face and her wide gray eyes were a smokescreen. “Oh, I remember you, Mrs. Wold. A man doesn’t forget a woman he held in his arms.”

Tina studied journalism at University and then went to work for a Fortune 500 company in Logistics for over 20 years. She now writes full-time and helps her husband run his Crop Dusting business in the summer months. When she’s not writing she likes to travel, read, and spend time with her farm critters.

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Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I guess like all writers, I’ve been writing since I was a child. I didn’t become published until I attended a Romantic Times Convention as a Reader in 2003 and discovered small digital presses. It was a viable way for me to become published which I did in 2005.

What is something unique/quirky about you?
I have a coffee mug for each day of the week. One for every Monday, every Tuesday, etc.

Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!
I don’t know if it’s interesting, but I was a world traveler at 18 months. My father was in the military and my mother was a bit of a wanderer and we traveled throughout Europe while my dad was stationed in Germany.

Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Frankfurt, Germany. I grew up on bases as my father was in the Armed Forces. My parents settled in Fargo, ND when I was 7 and I’ve lived here ever since.

If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
I don’t have many regrets in life, so I believe I’d spend my day at my lake cabin with my family.

What kind of world ruler would you be?
I’d be a horrible world ruler, in real life. Not that I’m evil, but that just sounds like a lot of pressure. Could I maybe just rule a small tropical island, instead?

What are you passionate about these days?
I belong to a number of writer groups and these days I love to share what I know about the publishing world, including marketing and how tools work for self-publishing.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
I love to put one of those fireplace DVD’s in and read a good book.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Caring, Loyal, Trustworthy, and Loved.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think I always did until maybe University when I had doubts even though I studied Journalism. It probably felt more real and certainly validated when I was first published.

Do you have a favorite movie?
I kind of go through phases. I love Romantic Comedies and Action Movies these days.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
The Courtesan of Constantinople - I can practically see the poster. It’s my first Steampunk Novel and I think there are more watchers or that genre than readers.

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I go on an annual writing retreat every September with some of my writing friends. It moves around the country every year. This year it will be in Oregon.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
The owl. They are varied and seem so inquisitive yet intelligent - like they are always learning.

What inspired you to write this book?
I always wanted to write a Regency as it is one of my favorite genres to read. I just wasn’t confident enough until I’d had other books under my belt.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I plan to continue this series. Book Two is a third done and I’m hoping to release it before the end of the year, but we’ll see how things go.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in How to Marry a Major?
Yep. My heroine, Charlotte Wold, is a widow turned governess whose best friend, Amelia plans to help her make a match with her brother-in-law, Major Myles Ashton.
Myles was injured during the war and recently came into an inheritance. Both Charlotte and Myles fake a betrothal to keep Amelia from matchmaking, but of course, things don’t go according to plan.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Charlotte is inspired by Elizabeth Bennet’s friend Charlott in Pride and Prejudice.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Most of the rest of my characters I use a name generator for. I then tweak it so that it works for my story.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Getting to know this world I’ve created. I’m a pantser, so I’m often surprised by where the characters lead me.

How did you come up with the title of this novel?
This novel has had many titles. I think How to Marry a Major was the 4th. Once I found an alliteration I liked, I titled all seven books.

Who designed your book covers?
Melody Simmons https://bookcoversbymelody.com/

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I had to learn the Regency rules regarding titles (duke, earl, marquess, etc.) and the laws regarding entitlement (aka inheritance). Many thanks to my editor, Sandra Sookoo.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?
There is a scene near the end where Myles gives Charlotte a gift that I find extremely touching.

If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do on that day?
I would spend the day with Kitty Fitzwilliam. She is a precocious teenager who is a bit of a tomboy who lives in the country with her mother. She enjoys being outdoors and disobeying rules. I think my teenage Regency self would’ve been her bestie.

Are your characters based on real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
A bit of both. Physical characteristics are always based on an actor, model, singer, person I know, etc. But their personalities are almost always my creation whether subconscious or not.

Have you written any other books that are not published?
I’m working on Book 2 in the B.A.D. (Bold & Adventurous Debutante) Guide Series, How to Love a Lord.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Lavender Tea

What did you edit out of this book?
At one point there was an element where Charlotte was a spy. And the book was titled The Widow Spy. I took that out completely and changed the Meet-Cute as well as the Dark Moment. Overall it made the book more like a Rom-Com than a Romantic Suspense.

What are your top favorite books/authors?
Grace Callaway, Cathy Maxwell, Johanna Lindsay, Tessa Dare, Martha Waters, Catherine Coulter and Maddy Barone.

What book do you think everyone should read?
I don’t think there is just one book for everyone, and there are so many to choose from that there is bound to be something out there for every person to read (or listen to).

How long have you been writing?
Since 2003 for publication.

Do you see writing as a career?
Yes. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What do you think about the current publishing market?
I think now there are so many opportunities for a writer to publish - whether traditional or indie. And your success will be dictated by the merit of your story. The hard part is finding your readers. Those people who will love what you’ve created.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I prefer music - no lyrics. This is probably because when I first learned to type, my teacher would play classical music on a record player. I still type fast to “Cry of the Valkeries”.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I try to have one at a time, if I don’t I won’t finish any of them.

Pen or type writer or computer?
Mostly computer - Pen if I’m struggling, but I love the sound a typewriter makes.

A day in the life of the author?
The ideal day for me - I get up between 7 and 8 am. Have breakfast, Do Morning Pages, and start work by 9 am I take care of business (going through e-mails, etc.) and then I find a virtual write-in and work on my current project - usually getting 200-2000 words in. I try and wrap around 3 or 4 and repeat the process the next day.

The advice they would give new authors?
Find a writing group. They can be very valuable in support.

What are they currently reading?
Fiction - To Love and Loath by Martha Walters
Non-fiction - The Millionaire Woman Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley

What is your writing process?
If I have a scene in my head, I work to try and get that down on paper first. I have a blank outline with all the Romance Beats that need to be hit and I create one for the book. Then I pick names for my characters. Then I create character profiles and begin the writing process.

What is your writing Kryptonite?
YouTube Shorts - Those cat videos are really distracting.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try and deliver on the expectations of the genre. HEA for Romance, etc.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
3-12 months (depending on length)

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