_(2)_(1)_(1).png)
Paige Edwards is an award-winning and best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense novels. Due to her deep British roots, Paige’s books are often set in the UK, and she hops the pond whenever she gets the chance. When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking, is fond of digging in the dirt (what some call gardening) and kayaking the lake. Paige is a member of ACFW and FHLCW. She loves to connect with readers. You can reach her by visiting her website.
Visit Paige Edwards online
.png)
Traitor in the Scottish Isles
An intercepted message. Missing MI6 agents. And a traitor hiding in plain sight. Reader’s Favorite Five-Star Review: "A modern-day spy thriller set amongst the windswept and remote Scottish Isles. Fun and exciting! A fast-paced, riveting story." To secure her inheritance and escape a scandal not of her making, wealthy socialite Cairstie Henderson relocates to a small town in the Scottish Isles, far from the city lights and runways she once frequented. There, she encounters the Irish spy responsible for the public breakup that made her the laughingstock of the Scottish Borders. Sheridan, a hardened MI6 agent, is on an undercover assignment to locate missing operatives and the mysterious traitor leaking top-secret information to the Chinese. Unfortunately, there’s one hitch: Cairstie Henderson knows his true identity—and she detests him. When Cairstie surprises an intruder, she seeks out Sheridan, the one man who can protect her. Over time, these opposites give way to an attraction that eventually blossoms into love. But with a dangerous criminal stalking their steps and intrigue around every corner, will Cairstie and Sheridan obtain their happily ever after, or will they end up dead?
- ISBN: B0DSLPWWJ8
- Publisher: Balquhidder Books
Interview with Paige Edwards 2025
Hi Paige! I’m excited to talk to you about your most recent romantic suspense as well as your author life!
What inspired the story behind your latest release Traitor in the Scottish Isles?
The inspiration for Traitor in the Scottish Isles came from something very close to my heart—two of my granddaughters are neurodivergent (dyslexic). Their unique journeys to literacy been an eye-opening experience as each child/individual is not a one-size-fits-all. While our younger granddaughter has found her footing, our older granddaughter is still searching for that personal “key” to unlock the world of reading. Their journeys inspired me to craft a story about perseverance, hidden strengths, and the courage it takes to face this challenge head-on. At its heart, Traitor in the Scottish Isles is not only a suspenseful adventure but a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to overcome obstacles.
You often weave romance and suspense together so seamlessly—how do you balance those two elements?
I start by pulling them apart and working on each one individually ensuring the suspense has its full arc of tension and intrigue, and the romance develops with authentic emotional depth. Then, I braid them together. The goal is for the suspense to heighten the stakes of the romance, and for the romance to deepen the reader’s investment in the suspense. When balanced—they create a richer, more compelling story.
What draws you back again and again to British and Scottish settings in your stories and what kind of research did you do to bring those settings to life?
British and Scottish settings are like coming home to me. Being half Scots myself, staying connected to my roots is deeply meaningful. My husband also has British heritage—his grandfather became a U.S. citizen in 1976—so together, we carry forward a shared legacy for our children with an annual family Highland Games (adapted for the littles). We also spend a month in the UK each year, with family time and hands-on research for my novels. When readers pick up one of my books, I want them to experience the locations as if they were on British soil themselves.
How has the editing process shaped this story compared to your past novels?
This novel definitely had a trickier start than most. My previous publishing house was bought out, and with that transition they discontinued their suspense line. That’s the nature of publishing—it happens—but I couldn’t bring myself to disappoint readers who already knew this story was in the works. So, I rolled up my sleeves and created my own publishing company. From there, I brought together a team of highly recommended editors who helped shape the book into its strongest form. It was a challenging process, but also incredibly rewarding. Seeing Traitor in the Scottish Isles receive a five-star review from Reader’s Favorite made every bit of effort worth it, and I’m thrilled with the finished product.
I understand that your British roots often inspire your writing. Can you tell us a little more?(I have British strong roots too, so I’d love to hear about this connection!)
Like I mentioned, I’m half Scots, with the rest of my heritage English and Welsh (though they immigrated much earlier). On paper, my mother’s family looks rather glamorous—aristocrats with fancy titles and estates—but when you dig into
their history, their lives were complex and messy. That made me wonder: how would their lives translate into today’s world?
Being me, I took that another step (I’m a nerd for research). My husband and I stayed twice with Dave and Carolyn Carnegie, the Duke and Duchess of Fife. Far from being a formal, glittering experience, it was refreshingly real. Our very first meeting with Carolyn occurred just after our arrival. It was raining (shocker) and she’d been out for a walk with her dog. He came trotting up to us, proudly carrying a very dead rabbit—rigor mortis and all—that he refused to give up.
We all had a good laugh, and it completely broke the ice between us.
Our visits gave me a clear understanding of what it takes to maintain a large estate(s) in modern times—the constant work, the weather, the upkeep, and the importance of preserving your heritage for future generations. That perspective has influenced my writing, making the aristocrats in my novels relatable people who navigate their responsibilities and everyday challenges with grit and heart.
Do you have a particular routine, soundtrack, or ritual that helps you get into the writing flow?
I wish. I love music. Simon and Garfunkel put out a song titled The Sound of Silence which applies to me in the writing phase. Noise pulls me out of my writing zone, especially music with lyrics.
With your background in interior design, do you find that visual creativity carries over into your setting descriptions?
My degree and former career definitely influence the way I approach description. My aim is to provide an immersive experience for readers in using all their senses. When readers tell me they could “see” the places from my novels in their mind’s eye and felt as though they were actually “there,” I know I’ve done my job.
What role does faith play in your stories and your writing journey?
Faith is at the very heart of my writing journey. Before I sit down to plot, I take time to pray and seek inspiration—not just for the story itself, but for its theme: what the book is really about, and the message the Lord might want a reader to take away from it. Then, and only then, I shape my characters’ arcs around that guiding impression. Sometimes this means a character undergoes a faith journey. Other times, it means portraying people of strong faith who face difficult challenges. In both cases, my hope is that readers catch glimpses of grace, courage, and hope woven into the story, and find encouragement (if needed) for their own lives as well.
What do you enjoy most about connecting with readers?
Many readers reach out with travel questions before they hop the pond. And I love sharing my “other country” with them.” But what touches me the most is when a story helps a reader through a personal challenge or gives them the encouragement they need during a hard season of life. That’s a humbling reminder that writing isn’t just about crafting plots and characters—it’s about hearts connecting through words, and a confirmation that God called me to this work.
What project are you working on now? What do you have planned for readers in the near future?
I’m currently polishing a manuscript that’s almost ready for submission. Keeping mum about that. I’m also plotting the final book in my Roxbury Heirs/Roxburgh Scions series (related to Traitor in the Scottish Isles). LASTLY: I recently, I completed two overseas research trips for a historical series set in Scotland & Norway during WW2 (a big jump from contemporary).
If you could only read one work of fiction one more time, what would it be?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel, Perfect, released in June 2025.
What inspired the story behind your latest release Traitor in the Scottish Isles?
The inspiration for Traitor in the Scottish Isles came from something very close to my heart—two of my granddaughters are neurodivergent (dyslexic). Their unique journeys to literacy been an eye-opening experience as each child/individual is not a one-size-fits-all. While our younger granddaughter has found her footing, our older granddaughter is still searching for that personal “key” to unlock the world of reading. Their journeys inspired me to craft a story about perseverance, hidden strengths, and the courage it takes to face this challenge head-on. At its heart, Traitor in the Scottish Isles is not only a suspenseful adventure but a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to overcome obstacles.
You often weave romance and suspense together so seamlessly—how do you balance those two elements?
I start by pulling them apart and working on each one individually ensuring the suspense has its full arc of tension and intrigue, and the romance develops with authentic emotional depth. Then, I braid them together. The goal is for the suspense to heighten the stakes of the romance, and for the romance to deepen the reader’s investment in the suspense. When balanced—they create a richer, more compelling story.
What draws you back again and again to British and Scottish settings in your stories and what kind of research did you do to bring those settings to life?
British and Scottish settings are like coming home to me. Being half Scots myself, staying connected to my roots is deeply meaningful. My husband also has British heritage—his grandfather became a U.S. citizen in 1976—so together, we carry forward a shared legacy for our children with an annual family Highland Games (adapted for the littles). We also spend a month in the UK each year, with family time and hands-on research for my novels. When readers pick up one of my books, I want them to experience the locations as if they were on British soil themselves.
How has the editing process shaped this story compared to your past novels?
This novel definitely had a trickier start than most. My previous publishing house was bought out, and with that transition they discontinued their suspense line. That’s the nature of publishing—it happens—but I couldn’t bring myself to disappoint readers who already knew this story was in the works. So, I rolled up my sleeves and created my own publishing company. From there, I brought together a team of highly recommended editors who helped shape the book into its strongest form. It was a challenging process, but also incredibly rewarding. Seeing Traitor in the Scottish Isles receive a five-star review from Reader’s Favorite made every bit of effort worth it, and I’m thrilled with the finished product.
I understand that your British roots often inspire your writing. Can you tell us a little more?(I have British strong roots too, so I’d love to hear about this connection!)
Like I mentioned, I’m half Scots, with the rest of my heritage English and Welsh (though they immigrated much earlier). On paper, my mother’s family looks rather glamorous—aristocrats with fancy titles and estates—but when you dig into
their history, their lives were complex and messy. That made me wonder: how would their lives translate into today’s world?
Being me, I took that another step (I’m a nerd for research). My husband and I stayed twice with Dave and Carolyn Carnegie, the Duke and Duchess of Fife. Far from being a formal, glittering experience, it was refreshingly real. Our very first meeting with Carolyn occurred just after our arrival. It was raining (shocker) and she’d been out for a walk with her dog. He came trotting up to us, proudly carrying a very dead rabbit—rigor mortis and all—that he refused to give up.
We all had a good laugh, and it completely broke the ice between us.
Our visits gave me a clear understanding of what it takes to maintain a large estate(s) in modern times—the constant work, the weather, the upkeep, and the importance of preserving your heritage for future generations. That perspective has influenced my writing, making the aristocrats in my novels relatable people who navigate their responsibilities and everyday challenges with grit and heart.
Do you have a particular routine, soundtrack, or ritual that helps you get into the writing flow?
I wish. I love music. Simon and Garfunkel put out a song titled The Sound of Silence which applies to me in the writing phase. Noise pulls me out of my writing zone, especially music with lyrics.
With your background in interior design, do you find that visual creativity carries over into your setting descriptions?
My degree and former career definitely influence the way I approach description. My aim is to provide an immersive experience for readers in using all their senses. When readers tell me they could “see” the places from my novels in their mind’s eye and felt as though they were actually “there,” I know I’ve done my job.
What role does faith play in your stories and your writing journey?
Faith is at the very heart of my writing journey. Before I sit down to plot, I take time to pray and seek inspiration—not just for the story itself, but for its theme: what the book is really about, and the message the Lord might want a reader to take away from it. Then, and only then, I shape my characters’ arcs around that guiding impression. Sometimes this means a character undergoes a faith journey. Other times, it means portraying people of strong faith who face difficult challenges. In both cases, my hope is that readers catch glimpses of grace, courage, and hope woven into the story, and find encouragement (if needed) for their own lives as well.
What do you enjoy most about connecting with readers?
Many readers reach out with travel questions before they hop the pond. And I love sharing my “other country” with them.” But what touches me the most is when a story helps a reader through a personal challenge or gives them the encouragement they need during a hard season of life. That’s a humbling reminder that writing isn’t just about crafting plots and characters—it’s about hearts connecting through words, and a confirmation that God called me to this work.
What project are you working on now? What do you have planned for readers in the near future?
I’m currently polishing a manuscript that’s almost ready for submission. Keeping mum about that. I’m also plotting the final book in my Roxbury Heirs/Roxburgh Scions series (related to Traitor in the Scottish Isles). LASTLY: I recently, I completed two overseas research trips for a historical series set in Scotland & Norway during WW2 (a big jump from contemporary).
If you could only read one work of fiction one more time, what would it be?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
At the age of thirteen, Kimberly Keagan discovered romance novels. Whenever possible, she ignored her chores in favor of a book she couldn't put down. In time, she earned a degree in accounting and enjoyed a brief career in investor relations, writing financial reports and press releases—terrific jobs, but not very romantic. By God's grace, she married her own handsome hero and raised two wonderful children, whom they homeschooled. Now, she is following her long-held dream of penning historical romance. Her debut novel, Perfect, released in June 2025.
For more great interviews, visit our Author Interview Archives.