HA:
Rachel, welcome back to Homeschool Authors.
Rachel:
Thank you. I am delighted to be visiting again.
HA: What
inspired Duty?
Rachel:
Someone else’s opening line inspired Duty.
I was hosting a contest to celebrate my blog’s 100th. Entrants
submitted possible opening lines, I chose one, and the prize would be a short
story beginning with the winning opening line. Well, the estimated length ended
up being a bit low.
HA: What
is the most encouraging review of the series you have received so far?
Rachel:
My mother, who is a tough critic when it comes to books, said it was the best I
have written so far. That made my day.
HA: What
do you plan to read this summer?
Rachel: I
am currently reading The Secrets of
Gwenla by Laurie Penner. Next on my list is Five Glass Slippers: A Collection of Cinderella Stories.
HA: What
are some of your favorite books of all time?
Rachel:
Besides the Bible, I have a very hard time choosing. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Rose in Bloom by Louise May Alcott have both been long time
favorites.
HA: Can
you give us a sneak peek into your work-in-progress?
Rachel: I
just finished writing Honor, the
sequel to Duty. It tells part of the
story of Simon Cordale the Earl of Dentin. In Duty, he comes across as a harsh character at times. He can be
strong willed, opinionated, and hard to understand, which made him a very
interesting character to write as a romantic lead. Also, finding a woman who
balances him well became quite a challenge. His leading lady manages it
beautifully. She doesn’t let him bully her and can be just as stubborn as he
is.
“Would
you move your elbow, my lord?”
I
startled at the feminine voice almost next to my ear. I looked over my shoulder
and up into dark, velvety brown eyes. The corner of Elsa’s mouth twitched. I
suddenly realized I was staring. “I am sorry?”
“Your
elbow, my lord, is resting on my seat.”
“Pardon,”
I quickly rose, pulling the heavy chair out for her.
Her
eyebrows rose. I didn’t get a chance to guess why before she turned her face
away.
Once she
was seated, I returned to my place. The first course arrived. As custom
dictated, I offered first cut to her. She accepted it graciously, but made no
move to eat.
“Are you
not hungry?” I asked as I lifted a bit of meat to my mouth.
She
didn’t respond, sipping some of the water in her cup instead. I watched her as
I chewed. The growing patch of rose on the curve of her cheek indicated she
knew of my scrutiny. Tomas remained absorbed in conversation with Brielle so
nothing distracted me from my natural curiosity.
She took
a deep breath and straightened her slim shoulders. “Staring is rude, my lord.”
“So is
refusing to answer a query.”
“Not
refusal, my lord. I was gathering my thoughts.”
“You do
not strike me as one who often struggles with finding words.”
She
laughed softly, eyes still focused on the food before her. “No, my lord, I have
words a plenty, just few suitable for your ears.”
“Truly?”
I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my mouth. “I assure you, miss, I am not a
lad freshly freed from leading strings. It takes much to turn my ears red.”
“I
wouldn’t have guessed.” She stole a glance at my ears, skillfully avoiding my
gaze despite my attempts to engage her dark eyes before they hid again in the
shadow of her lashes. “Your ears have turned pink at least twice since our
meeting. I wager I could easily turn them again.”
She very
likely could, I realized suddenly. Still, I wanted her to try. “What would you
like to bet?”
That
brought up her face. Eyes widened in shock, her countenance lost all color.
“Oh, no, my lord. My mother would take me to task if I wagered anything. It
wouldn’t be lady-like.”
I almost
bought her act until I detected a twitch about her mouth.
I
laughed. I couldn’t help it.
HA: What
should readers expect when they read Duty?
Rachel:
The story focuses on the relationship of the heroine, Brielle, and the Earl of
Irvaine who married her by proxy, sight unseen. Plucked from everything she has
ever known, she must forge a relationship with her new noble husband who acts
more like a common soldier than a nobleman. Romance, adventure, and action, the
story doesn’t stop for a moment as the pair struggle to settle into their new
duties.
HA: Do
you have any final thoughts?
Rachel: I
really appreciate this community of homeschool authors. It has been a blessing
to meet others who share the love of written words and the common background of
being schooled at home.
You can pick up a copy of Duty for $0.99 this week. Read it, Review it, and enter for a chance to Win it!
I loved this book! I bought it Kindle on Amazon several months ago and was riveted. The idea of marrying a complete stranger and what that would be like is so foreign to our modern American minds. I think the closest we have ever come to imagining it is in the story of Esther, and we don't exactly get to read her personal diary. I look forward to being able to get a hard copy of Duty sometime soon. Looking forward with excitement to more books from Rachel!
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Thank you, Grace. I have always been fascinated by arranged marriages and marriages that don't originate in love. They make interesting reading. :)
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