We chat with author Madeleine Roux about These Violet Delights, which follows a star-crossed pair and if they can overcome a simmering family feud for a chance at love.
Hi, Madeleine! Welcome back! How has the past year been since we last spoke?
Busy, busy! I keep telling myself I’ll stop writing so many books every year but somehow, it’s two books, and two short stories and who knows what else!
Your latest novel, These Violet Delights, is out November 4th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Heartfelt, mysterious, cozy, passionate, artsy
What can readers expect?
In These Violet Delights, I wanted to put the emotional connection of our heroes—Violet and Alasdair—front and center. They both feel like outsiders, and finding each other, discovering their shared love of art and their shared mental landscape, allows them to feel safe for the first time. From a plot perspective, we’ve got two art nerds falling in love while trying to solve a mystery and heal an old family grudge.
I also feel strongly about bringing back genuinely lovely and kind male love interests, and Alasdair is such a teddy bear, I think readers will fall head over heels for him.
Where did the inspiration for These Violet Delights come from?
It was inspired by two main things. One, wanting to portray a love story with two neurodivergent people grappling with their disability (this is set in the Regency period, so they don’t have the language for it the way we do, but ADHD and AuDHD humans have always existed). Two, I’ve been learning to paint over the last year, and I wanted to bring in that knowledge and passion to give Violet and Alasdair a common interest.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
It’s always a joy to research a new aspect of a time period that fascinates you. Shamefully, I had never really looked into what it was like for female painters during this time. It was so inspiring to read about their struggles, how many of them were getting public acclaim for their art but only until it was discovered that they were women. I folded some of their stories into both Violet and her tutor, Cristabel.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
At one point I just had to start over, which was certainly challenging! But the original idea and title I had picked weren’t working. It’s frustrating to throw out work like that, but it’s never actually wasted. The research I had done was still useful in some regards, and even if you have to scrap some chapters, the practice of writing them just helps you improve. There’s always a moment of ego when you realize it’s time to quit and start again, I can get defensive and stubborn, but it’s always better to take a deep breath and remember that the final product is what matters. You just keep your focus on creating the best experience for the reader.
With it being almost 15 years since your debut novel published, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as a writer since then?
The most crucial lesson I’ve learned over the years is to write the book that you feel strongest about. When you’re writing with a clear message or theme in mind, you’re always going to create better art. A book that doesn’t say anything won’t be remembered.
What’s next for you?
I’ve got a few exciting things I can’t talk about yet, but luckily, I can finally discuss the Star Wars book I’ve written! I get to fill in the gaps between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. It’s a novel that explores how Leia became Rey’s mentor, and as a lifelong Star Wars freak it’s been a wild time. It’s called Star Wars: Legacy and it will be out July 2026.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up in 2026?
I just finished Seed by Ania Ahlborn, and it was spectacular, a great choice for the Halloween season. Mindy McGinnis is brilliant, so her next book—How Girls Are Made—is at the top of my list. I’m also looking forward to Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar.
