One Night With Finnbar follows a young aristocrat set to join the Royal Fusiliers who develops an unlikely connection with a stable boy, causing the course of his life to shift dramatically as he embarks on an emotional journey of identity. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

One Night With Finnbar came to me through the characters themselves. When I agreed to write their story, it was with the understanding that I would recount it honestly — warts and all. I always enjoyed studying history, but knew little to nothing about Georgian England. I relied upon the characters to enlighten me then followed up with my own research.  

When I started writing, I had the basic facts of what happened in the 27 days of their time spent together. I was determined to bring their story to life on a canvas that felt both real and relatable. I wanted to anchor the story in actual events, using known historical persons and locations, some of which still exist today in modern-day London. While mining the judicial system and court records of the Old Bailey, I came upon the trial transcript of Elizabeth Brownrigg who murdered a young servant girl, Mary Clifford. As it happened, Brownrigg’s trial and execution (14 September 1767) precisely matched the dates key in my story. I knew then that I was on to something. I can’t count the number of times such coincidences occurred. 

It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?

I have received critiques from opposite camps on the pacing issue. I believe it has more to do with the preferences of the individual reader than the actual pace itself. Fans of the historical literary genre seem okay with taking the time needed to flesh-out a credible backstory, as long as the pay-off is worth the wait. I never really took pacing that much to heart; instead focusing on crafting a believable world in which the story could flourish.  

Martin and Finnbar are in the same city at the same time but are having two completely different life experiences. Boredom and restlessness cause Martin to fall back into the forbidden libertine lifestyle that, if discovered, would bring his downfall. Finnbar, a naïve country boy, struggles every day just to survive in a city that, given half a chance, would happily grind him to pulp. Where their lives do touch, calamity ensues.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

Loyalty v betrayal is likely the first theme readers pick up on.  Martin demands truth and fealty from Finnbar who has no choice but to comply, then selfishly betrays him.

Martin Atwater is not a likeable character. Born into a world of privilege, he manages to squander his advantage through a life-style of hedonism. He steals from his uncle right under the old man’s nose; racks up gambling debt, then embezzles from the family business, carelessly involving others in a cover-up scheme. He is unwilling to accept responsibility when his plans go awry, instead he blames his troubles on his meddlesome cousin Pierson. Worst of all, when Martin should have manned-up and protected Finnbar by standing up against pure evil, he caves and plays Finnbar as a ‘get out of blackmail free’ card.

This story which took place two-and-a-half centuries ago in the dark and monstrous streets of Georgian London could just as easily have occurred yesterday.  Sadly, the innocent are not always protected and are frequently exploited. Finnbar’s low-born status made him a commodity ripe for sacrifice. Fifteen-year-old Irish Catholic boys in 18^th century England were, as far as the elites were concerned, a nuisance factor to be dealt with through rigorous application of the 150 laws in the Bloody Code.

But I think there is another, deeper theme here. That being a faith in God that holds our world together when all else fails us. Finnbar’s abiding faith sustained him even in his darkest hours.  Martin didn’t have a belief in God, and when he came to the end of his rope, there was no knot to hold on to.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?

Currently I am working on a story which immediately follows One Night With Finnbar, but is not a sequel. Constable Bobbie Qualls, a minor character in the first book, works to rehabilitate his reputation for corruption in hopes of becoming a Bow Street Constable. I have also reprised the role of molly house keeper Violet Fennimore, and will be weaving in as much of the city’s colorful ambiance as the plot determines useful. These things take time, but hope to have it done in a year.

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