Welfonder, Sue-Ellen (Sue-Ellen MacDuffie, Allie Mackay)

PERSONAL:

Born in Miami, FL; married Manfred Welfonder.

ADDRESSES:

Home—FL. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer. Previously a flight attendant for twenty years.

MEMBER:

Romance Writers of America, MacFie Clan Society of North America.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Romantic Times Online award, 2001.

WRITINGS:

"MCKENZIE"SERIES

Devil in a Kilt, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Bride of the Beast, Warner Book (New York, NY), 2003.

Only for a Knight, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Until the Knight Comes, Warner Forever (New York, NY), 2006.

"MACLEAN" SERIES

Knight in My Bed, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Master of the Highlands, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Wedding for a Knight, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2004.

OTHER

(As Allie Mackay) Highlander in Her Bed, Signet (New York, NY), 2006.

Contributor to the anthology Chocolate for a Lover's Heart.

SIDELIGHTS:

Sue-Ellen Welfonder was a flight attendant for twenty years before becoming the author of historical romance novels. In a tribute to her Scottish heritage, Welfonder, who was born with the last name MacDuffie, sets her novels in Scotland and often includes paranormal elements in the stories. In an interview with Jennifer Russell on the Romance Readers Connection Web site, the author further explained why she chose to write Scottish historicals: "Writers are told to ‘write what they know.’ I prefer to say we should ‘write what we love.’ That is the quick answer to this question: choosing to write Scottish medievals is writing what I know and I love best."

Welfonder, who has traveled to Scotland often to conduct research for her books, is the author of two romance series. The "McKenzie" series begins with Devil in a Kilt, which features the romance between Linnet MacDonnel and her father's enemy Duncan MacKenzie, a Highland warrior who has a son by a previous wife who died. Russell, writing on the Romance Readers Connection Web site, noted that Devil in a Kilt is "paced with … elusive mystery and smoldering romance."

The sister of Linnet from Welfonder's first novel is the protagonist in Bride of the Beast. Married to an English knight to save her castle from being taken over via a royal edict, Lady Caterine Keith has little interest in Sir Marmaduke Strongbow, who has been disfigured in battle. However, the two soon learn that there is more between them than a mere marriage of convenience. "Larger-than-life characters and a scenic setting add color to Welfonder's 4th-century romance," wrote a Publishers Weekly contributor.

In Only for a Knight, Robbie MacKenzie comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress named Juliana Mackay, who has lost her memory. Despite being promised to the unlikable Euphemia MacLeod, MacKenzie realizes he has found his true love in Juliana. "Ghosts, visions, and foul plots abound in this lusty, rollicking medieval Scottish romance," commented Lynne Welch in Booklist.

Until the Knight Comes, the fourth book in the series, features Mariota Maconicol, who is framed for murder but escapes jail and is guided by a magical lute and a fox to find refuge in the village of Cuidrach. There she meets Kenneth MacKenzie, who has just become Keeper of Cuidrach. Welch, writing again in Booklist, noted that the author's "storytelling skill and medieval scholarship shine" in Until the Knight Comes.

With Knight in My Bed, Welfonder inaugurates her "MacLean" series. The story revolves around Lady Isolde of the Clan MacInnes trying to seduce Donall the Bold, laird of the Clan MacLean, so that she becomes pregnant. She believes that a child between members of these two clans will lead to peace between them. Shelley Mosley, writing in Booklist, referred to Knight in My Bed as a "steamy medieval tale."

Master of the Highlands, the second book in the "MacLean" series, finds Iain MacLean having lost his wife to an evil relative and sent out on a mission by his older brother to deliver some ancient relics, which he must protect from the witch Devorgilla. In the meantime, Lady Madeline Drummond also has witch-like gifts, including the ability to recognize peoples' true feelings and thoughts. Iain, posing as a pilgrim, and Lady Madeline, posing as a nun, meet when Iain saves Lady Madeline from a threatening situation. "Welfonder brings the Highlands to life, conveying the atmosphere of the medieval era and the actions and beliefs of its people," wrote a contributor to the BookLoons Web site.

The series continues with Wedding for a Knight. The MacLeans and MacKinnons are no longer feuding, which bodes well for Amicia MacLean's love for Magnus MacKinnon. Magnus, however, has lost all his wealth in war and does not want Amicia, whom he has long secretly desired, to marry a poor man. As a result, he rejects Amicia and is soon pursued by an evil distant cousin. DeborahAnne MacGillivray, writing on the Best Reviews Web site, noted: "She paints a picture as Scotland was. It's like opening a door and stepping through to the Highlands, heather, peat fire and all."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April, 2002, Shelley Mosley, review of Knight in My Bed, p. 1312; July, 2005, Lynne Welch, review of Only for a Knight, p. 1910; July 1, 2006, Lynne Welch, review of Until the Knight Comes, p. 42.

Publishers Weekly, March 11, 2002, review of Knight in My Bed, p. 57; December 2, 2002, review of Bride of the Beast, p. 39; May 1, 2006, review of Until the Knight Comes, p. 43.

ONLINE

A Romance Review,http://www.aromancereview.com/ (June 27, 2007), review of Knight in My Bed.

Best Reviews,http://thebestreviews.com/ (July 19, 2001), Harriet Klausner, review of Devil in a Kilt; (April 17, 2002), Sheri Melnick, review of Knight in My Bed; (April 26, 2002), Cynthia Meidinger, review of Knight in My Bed; (December 1, 2002), Cynthia Meidinger, review of Bride of the Beast; (December 25, 2002) Harriet Klausner, review of Bride of the Beast; (July 31, 2003), Harriet Klausner, review of Knight in My Bed; (August 16, 2004), Tammie Ard, review of Wedding for a Knight; (September 24, 2004), DeborahAnne MacGillivray, review of Bride of the Beast; (August 25, 2004), DeborahAnne MacGillivray, review of Wedding for a Knight; (August 28, 2004), Harriet Klausner, review of Wedding for a Knight; (June 9, 2006), Kristi Ahlers, review of Only for a Knight; (June 24, 2005) DeborahAnne MacGillivray, review of Only for a Knight; (June 27, 2007), Harriet Klausner, review of Until the Knight Comes and Only for a Knight; Marilyn Rondeau, review of Until the Knight Comes.

BookLoons,http://www.bookloons.com/ (June 27, 2007), reviews of Bride of the Beast, Master of the Highlands, and Until the Knight Comes.

Historical Romance Writers,http://www.historicalromancewriters.com/ (July 13, 2006), review of Until the Knight Comes.

Romance Readers Connection,http://www.theromancereadersconnection.com/ (June 27, 2007), Jennifer Russell, review of Devil in a Kilt, and author interview.

Romantic Times,http://www.romantictimes.com/ (June 27, 2007), Kathe Robin, review of Devil in a Kilt.

Sue-Ellen Welfonder Home Page,http://www.welfonder.com (June 27, 2007).