Maggie FitzRoy – St. Johns County Florida writes historical romance, suspense and mysteries as well. She has written and published three romantic historical novels, a historical mystery story and contributed short stories to four romance anthologies and written and published 2 non-fiction stories about our local beach communities. She is heading into the mystery series area now beginning with “Never on Monday.”
Contact the Author
https://maggiefitzroy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/maggiefitzroyauthor
https://www.instagram.com/maggiefitzroy/
https://twitter.com/maggiefitzroy/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Maggie-FitzRoy/author/B00DW6H8TA
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857197.Maggie_FitzRoy
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maggie-fitzroy
Brief Biography
Embracing the latest chapter of her life, Maggie FitzRoy is writing the types of compelling love stories she’s always longed to write.
Maggie is a former journalist and magazine and newspaper editor with a bachelor’s degree in history from Ursinus College and a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia. A lifelong, avid reader of fiction and nonfiction, she loves creating historical romances that sweep the reader into the past—where love is an adventure.
Mercy’s Way was her debut novel. Beacon Beach came next, taking romance to one of her favorite seaside towns, Cape May, New Jersey. Her newest novel is His Haven, a historical romantic suspense set in 1923 Miami Beach, Florida.
She has also written two nonfiction books featuring Northeast Florida history.
Maggie lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. When she’s not writing, she enjoys travel, swimming, choral singing, pickle ball, and reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres.
Books Published
Romance Suspense
His Haven
Beacon Beach
Mercy’s Way
Never on Monday
Tuesday Means Trouble
Anthologies
Romancing the Holidays – “His Christmas Rose” – 2020
Romancing the Holidays – “Christmas Peril, Christmas Promise” – 202
Romancing the Holidays – “Red, White and Blue for You” – 2022
Romancing the Tropics – “Secret Island”
Non-Fiction
Ponte Vedra Beach
Jacksonville Beach
The Interview 2023
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
For my first three novels, the setting actually came to me first, then glimpses of what the plot could be, and the characters. For my first romance, I wanted to write a road trip story and have it take place during an exciting time in American history. So, when I thought about possible road trips, the most obvious and compelling was the Oregon Trail—and so Mercy’s Way takes place on the Oregon Trail in 1845. For my second novel, I envisioned a romance unfolding at a grand seaside resort during the American Gilded Age, so Beacon Beach is set in 1886 Cape May, New Jersey. My third book, His Haven, is a romantic suspense set in 1923 Miami Beach, Florida, because what came to me first was a semi-tropical setting during Prohibition.
How much research did you need to do for your books?
Every location along the Oregon Trail in Mercy’s Way is historically and geographically accurate, although all the characters are fictional. I researched the Oregon Trail for six months before I began to write. All the places in Beacon Beach are historically real, except for the main hotel, White Caps, which I modeled after another hotel, Congress Hall, which still stands in Cape May, New Jersey and is also featured in the book. Cape May is a Victorian-era time capsule, and I interviewed three historians during the writing process. I also visited the town several times because my sister lives near Cape May and works for the historical society. For His Haven, my best research reference was a history book called “Bubble in the Sun,” an interesting read about South Florida during the early twentieth century.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
I have three cats and a dog, and they basically inspire my writing more than get in my way because I cherish their company. My dog, Riley, does require me to take breaks when she needs to go for a walk. My oldest cat, Scout, frequently asks to be fed. And my playful two-year old cats, Summer and Story, often walk on my keyboard or jump in my lap or on my shoulder. But that’s okay. My pets are my muses!
Maggie’s 2022 Interview
If you would like to take part in our North Florida Writers Tour, please take a moment to look over the Informational Page. You can always send us a message with any questions using our CONTACT US form.
