Book Review: Honor by Rachel Rossano

Buy it Here

Description: The Earl of Dentin excels in his position as Securer of the Realm. But the king’s order to pluck an orphaned child from a loving home unsettles Dentin. When a dark-eyed woman challenges his honor regarding the mission, Dentin finds himself unable to justify his actions or get her out of his mind. Something about her lack of fear intrigues him. Lady Elsa Reeve attempts to avoid the marriage of convenience her brother and mother demand of her. She understands the need to pay off her brother's massive debt. She only wants her family to consider her wishes in the process. As Elsa becomes further entangled in a snare of her brother’s creating, only one man defends her. But can she trust Dentin, her unlikely champion, and his motives? With a murderer on the loose, Elsa’s fate in jeopardy, and a traitor plotting against the king, Dentin finds his priorities shifting in an unexpected direction.

Since I really enjoyed Duty, I jumped at the chance to review Honor. After all, I love how Rachel writes her romances. Yes, maybe there is a little more pre-marital kissing than I would choose to have in my life, but they are clean and sweet stories with characters that you can really cheer for.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, as Elsa and Dentin deal with foes that come in many forms. I really hated every time I had to put down the book and work on a different task for any amount of time. It is one of those books that keeps you flipping pages to find out what is going to happen next.

Elsa was a sweet girl who is trying to save her family from the ruin her brother’s gambling has brought. She was such a well-developed character that felt very real. Her sweetness was what really stood out to me. So many female leads are I-can-do-it-myself type girls, and, while I don’t have a problem with that, it gets old. While Elsa did a lot, she allowed others to help her.

Dentin was pretty awesome himself. He was a man of honor (the title really does tell you a lot), who is a bit rough around the edges. No, he isn’t mean, he just isn’t sociable, but he finds himself drawn to helping Elsa and loses his heart in the process. I really liked what Rossano did with his character.

I cannot say enough about this story. It was just such a joy to read. It had an historical feel to it, even though it was really non-magical fantasy. It also had a faith element that wasn’t strong, but added a nice touch.

I highly recommend this to those who like romance, good writing, and books that keep you turning pages.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

I received this book from author in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Announcement Saturday: Last Update of the Year

Homeschool Authors is taking a vacation. Reviews have been scheduled out for the month November and we will return stronger and better in January. 

Are you an author and interested in doing an interview? At the end of the post you will find our standard questions. You can fill out your answers and send them to thedestinyofone(at)yahoo(dot)com Homeschool Authors will get back to you after the 1st of next year.


Authors Added

Meredith Allady

Matt D. Cooksey

Sara-Anne Leavitt  
Hayden Wand

Books Added

Luke Alistar in Shorts by Luke Alistar

Letters from Bath; Or, a Friend in Exile (Merriweather Chronicles, Prequel) by Meredith Allady

Friendship and Folly (Merriweather Chronicles, #1) by Meredith Allady

Letters to Julia (Merriweather Chronicles, #2) by Meredith Allady

The Little Table by Scott Appleton

Compliments of W. T. Sherman by Sarah Beth Brazytis
Northern Winds Bring Danger by Matt D. Cooksey
Something Broken by Sara-Anne Leavitt  
The Black Assassin by Rachel Wetsriru
Adele: Two Girls. Two Paths. One Revolution by Elisha Wahlquist
The King of Anavrea by Rachel Rossano

(Name), welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Everyone’s homeshooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?

How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?

What caused you to start writing?

What inspired (book you want featured)?

Would you give us a synopsis?

Who will enjoy (book you want featured)?

Do you plan to write more books?

Where can people connect with you online (social media, websites, blog)?

Do you have any final thoughts?

Book Review: Duty by Rachel Rossano

Buy it Here

Age Appropriate For: 16 and up (for marital themes)

Best for ages: 18 and up

Description: Tomas Dyrease, the newly made Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys. However, no one warned him that she wasn’t a typical noblewoman. Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin. The men rode off to war and never returned. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways. Was this man a noble or a foot soldier? Bound by the words of their vows, they face a rough future. They must forge a marriage while battling betrayal, accusations of treason, and villains from the past. Survival depends on their precarious trust in each other. Failure could mean death.

I was so excited when Rachel asked me to review this book. Although I have followed her blog and Facebook page, I had yet to read one of her books. After reading Duty, I can't wait to read another book by her.

This book kept me turning pages. From the opening line, I was hooked. It was fast paced but not dazzlingly so.  I also instantly connected with Tomas and Brielle and loved getting to know them.

This story, though set in a fictional country, felt well researched. As a history buff whose favorite time period is the Middle Ages, I was very impressed with the historical aspects of this book. I especially liked the attitudes displayed by the women at the beginning of the book. To often, we put our 21st century ideas of love, and marriage into historical fiction. Women didn't expect to marry for love, or even marry someone they knew well. They may have wanted that, but it wasn't the expectation.

The romance was so sweet. I just loved how it unfolded. Because the characters are married for most of the book,  and the romance comes after marriage, this book is for older audiences  However, Rachel was very discreet and so a someone in their middle teens might like it.

I highly recommend this book for those who like romance.

Was this review helpful? Vote it up on Amazon

I received this story from the author in exchange for my honest review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review.  The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Writing What You Want to Write

By Rachel Rossano

I am a bit of a non-conformist, a rebel. Yeah, I know I don’t look like it. Happily married mother of three children, homemaker, author, and a pastor’s kid. Okay, the last one does flag me as highly likely to be a rebel according to some people. But honestly, I didn’t have the classic rebellious years in my teens. I married (with my parents blessing) and settled down before twenty.

So, why claim the title non-conformist?

I write what I want to write.

I have been fascinated with history since childhood and the medieval time period for just about as long. Fairy tales always topped my reading pile in my youngest years. I devoured every one of Andrew Lang’s fairy tale books at my local library. Henry VIII and his children fascinated me through my teens. I still have decent collection of reference books about him and that period of English history. But, when it came down to writing a story, I quickly decided that all the research that would be involved in writing straight historical fiction did not appeal.

Conventional wisdom dictates that writers should write to the market. Research what genre they want to write, write within the formulas dictated by the published market, and follow all the rules. I tried. It didn’t work out very well. The stories were downright boring.

Deciding on trying a different route, I settled on creating my own world. Countries, governments, kings, queens, histories, the world grew over the years, each story making it richer. With each new story, I add to the world, cultures, and characters. Sometimes, I create a totally new country just to try out a new story idea.

Romance has become a common theme through all of my books because I am interested in romantic love. Not the flowers and roses type of love, but the connection that begets loyalty, faithfulness, and sacrifice. The point where the two decide to become one entity and the choice to love despite circumstances, difficulties, miscommunications, and loss fascinates me. A Christ-like love is what marriage is supposed to be about.

So, I write fantasy because I like creating my own worlds. My books have a medieval feel because I love writing about an age of nobility, horses, swords, chivalry, castles, and…you get the idea. Almost every one of my stories is also a romance because I am fascinated by what draws and keeps two people together and committed to each other on such a deep level.

You might not think I am much of a rebel. But in the writing world, breaking the boundaries of genre is a bit of a no-no. Every time I have to describe what I write to a new reader, I am reminded why it is hard to break out of the genre framework. Instead of saying “I write non-magical fantasy sweet romance with a medieval feel,” I am tempted to hand them one of my books and say, “Here. Read it. I think you will like it.”

What the readers are saying about Duty: First Novel of Rhynan by Rachel Rossano

“This book kept me turning pages. From the opening line, I was hooked. It was fast paced but not dazzlingly so. I also instantly connected with Tomas and Brielle and loved getting to know them.

This story, though set in a fictional country, felt well researched. As a history buff whose favorite time period is the Middle Ages, I was very impressed with the historical aspects of this book. I especially liked the attitudes displayed by the women at the beginning of the book. To often, we put our 21st century ideas of love, and marriage into historical fiction. Women didn't expect to marry for love, or even marry someone they knew well. They may have wanted that, but it wasn't the expectation.

The romance was so sweet. I just loved how it unfolded. Because the characters are married for most of the book, and the romance comes after marriage, this book is for older audiences However, Rachel was very discreet and so someone in their middle teens might like it.

I highly recommend this book for those who like romance.”

– Sarah Holman, author of The Destiny Trilogy and Adventures and Adversaries

“Set in a medieval fantasy world, Duty: A Novel of Rhynan, by Rachel Rossano, tells the tale of Lady Brielle Solarius. With the crowning of a new king, Brielle is essentially sold into an arranged marriage to the new Lord Tomas by her evil cousin Orwin. But because of her duty to her people, the poor widows also forced into marriage to strangers, Brielle determines to willingly marry this man Tomas. Besides, because of her cousin’s work, her village will starve through the winter if she doesn’t have Tomas’s help. Yet, as they leave to acquire food for the winter, Brielle’s little village is attacked!

I really liked this book! When I found it, I thought it would just be a sweet little romance, but conspiracies, battles, and sieges abound as well! There is never a dull moment in the novel, what with the romance and the action. And truly, just as I thought all was well and couldn’t imagine how the author would make the rest of the novel interesting, the worst happens and drives Brielle and Tomas into another adventure!

To me, Duty seemed to be written well. There were a few tiny spots that confused me, but they were few and not extremely pertinent to the tale. Aside from that, I have no complaints.

Things you should know: There was definitely violence in this novel, as much of the plot revolved around soldiers and battles. In one instance, a pregnant woman is threatened with death (with a sword to her throat). However, the descriptions of the battles were not graphic. The author wrote that the characters cursed, yet didn’t include what the curse word was. Women are indeed forced into marriage, but the overall attitude toward it, at least by the leading characters, is that it is unfair and wrong. The leading characters kiss and hold each other, but sex is only implied, not described.”

– Emily (on Goodreads)

“Duty: a novel of Rhynan was hard to put down, and one of my quickest reads all year, despite it being quite lengthy. With a captivating plot, vividly developed characters, and the constant threat of danger, it was quick to grab my attention. Rachel was also able to keep it quick paced and exciting all the way to the end.”

– Kayla (on Goodreads)

"I felt Ms. Rossano did a impressive job with Tomas's character flaws and all. I liked him a lot.”

– Tifferz (on Goodreads)

“Something to remember as you read: This is a historical, but it's not from a real time or even a real place. Ms. Rossano has created her own world, with touches of old England. Some of the phrasing seemed a bit contemporary, but all in all it fits her world. There were a few new words that I had to look up. For example "Kurios." In her lexicon, this is the word for God. And it works, here.

I liked how these two people came together, slowly. I liked how after riding for an entire day, Brielle was sore, and tired, and her knees were weak. Her tummy also growled! I liked that. They were "real." They didn't fall immediately into love. It was something they had to work at.

Tomas is a strong, caring man of few words. There was a scene with his mother where she mentions that he "forgets" to give all the information. This was true!

This was a rousing adventure, with swords and battles...and fade to black loving. It was also inspirational. Brielle prayed for help. I liked that, too.”

– Beyond the Squee (http://www.beyondthesquee.com)

“Duty had me hooked from the first line right to the last. I seriously loved the opening lines and it just got better from there. This book has everything: action, adventure, romance, mystery, hope and love.

The story centers around two strong, duty-bound characters who have to learn to trust each other. Brielle and Tomas have great chemistry, were well-matched, and their adventure kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. The author brought the characters to life and made the settings in the story seem vividly real.”

– Shanna Hatfield, author of The Pendleton Petticoats series

“This was my 2nd book By Rachel Rossano and I really enjoyed it. Other reviews have said that love came too quickly for the characters, but I disagree and tend to think that if God were to bring about such a marriage between two people of such admirable qualities, then He could give those people an instant attraction followed shortly by love for one another (knowing that you're gonna hafta spend the rest of your life with them anyway kinda makes it easier in my mind).

The characters and setting were lovely. There were quite a few kisses and references to the marriage bed (just to warn those who prefer not to have any of that in their reading material), but Rachel managed the subject tactfully in my opinion. One thing I was a bit uncertain about was the fact that the characters call their deity by the name Kurios, and I wasn't sure if this was their interpretation of the name of God, or if it was the name of a false god.

I look forward to reading more from this author (especially after reading the bit from her new book, included in the back of "Duty"). Thank you, Rachel, for a splendid read!”

– Nicole from Goodreads

 

Rachel Rossano is here to talk about Duty, Honor, and much more

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 100^th. 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!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rachel Rossano: Duty

Buy it Here.

Age Appropriate For: 16 and up (for marital themes)

Best for ages: 18 and up

Description: Tomas Dyrease, the newly made Earl of Irvaine and the village of Wisenvale, owes his good fortune to his king and the recent civil war. When his benefactor demands Tomas marry the cousin of a noble, he obeys. However, no one warned him that she wasn’t a typical noblewoman. Brielle Solarius struggles to keep her village from starvation under the new Lord Wisten, her cousin. The men rode off to war and never returned. The remaining women and children face a dire winter if they do not find a solution soon. When she learns her cousin sold her into marriage to save his life, she isn’t surprised. However, she is taken aback by Lord Irvaine’s unpolished ways. Was this man a noble or a foot soldier? Bound by the words of their vows, they face a rough future. They must forge a marriage while battling betrayal, accusations of treason, and villains from the past. Survival depends on their precarious trust in each other. Failure could mean death.

I was so excited when Rachel asked me to review this book. Although I have followed her blog and Facebook page, I had yet to read one of her books. After reading Duty, I can't wait to read another book by her.

This book kept me turning pages. From the opening line, I was hooked. It was fast paced but not dazzlingly so.  I also instantly connected with Tomas and Brielle and loved getting to know them.

This story, though set in a fictional country, felt well researched. As a history buff whose favorite time period is the Middle Ages, I was very impressed with the historical aspects of this book. I especially liked the attitudes displayed by the women at the beginning of the book. To often, we put our 21st century ideas of love, and marriage into historical fiction. Women didn't expect to marry for love, or even marry someone they knew well. They may have wanted that, but it wasn't the expectation.

The romance was so sweet. I just loved how it unfolded. Because the characters are married for most of the book,  and the romance comes after marriage, this book is for older audiences  However, Rachel was very discreet and so a someone in their middle teens might like it.

I highly recommend this book for those who like romance.

Was this review helpful? Vote it up on Amazon

I received this story from the author in exchange for my honest review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review.  The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Rachel Rossano: Wren

Buy it on Amazon

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up (mild violence, some romance)

Best for Ages: 13 and up

Description: Wren Romany is as unconventional as they come. Born to a large, devout family and then forced out to fend on her own, she earns her living as a bounty hunter. As her second winter alone looms, she decides to stay in one place for the season. Seeking shelter, she offers her hunting skills in exchange. Tourth Mynth, the master of the ruined fortress in the valley, needs help. His small household faces a hard winter. As son of a disenfranchised noble, he has plenty of space beneath his roof, but not much to eat. Wren's offer seems a good fit. Wren soon learns the residents of Iselyn need more than simply meat on their table. The valley's residents squirm beneath a harsh master. Unsolved murder and betrayal lurk in the Mynths' not so distant past. And Tourth's battle with his emotional scars from the recent civil war will determine the fate of the whole valley.

I was so excited to be asked to review yet another of Rachel’s books. I was honored to be asked to review Duty, and I had enjoyed reading Exchange. So when Rachel asked me to review Wren, I jumped at the chance.

Like Duty, Wren is set in a fictional world. However, it feels more like historical fiction than fantasy. There isn’t any magic, strange creatures, or other creepy fantasy elements. So both those who like mild fantasy and fiction set it times past will enjoy this book.

The basic premise of the story is that siblings are separated and forced to make their own way in the world. I have been interested in reading this series ever since I read a blog post by Rachel Thomson about it years ago. I am very eager to read the other book in the series that has already been published – Taerith.

Overall, I loved that adventure that kept me turning pages. There were a couple of points that things were a little confusing either from the number of characters, or from a messy political situation. But those moments were very few and far between.

Wren is a strong woman, she has to be. She makes her living as a bounty hunter and has earned the reputation of being one of the best. Somehow, Rachel managed to make Wren strong without making her boy-like. Many strong female characters end up hating the fact that they are girls. Wren wears men’s clothes because she needs to, and feels awkward in dresses, but she didn’t seem to hate the fact she was a girl. 

The banter in this book was amazing. I mean, who doesn’t love the friendly banter of guys. I liked all the men who worked for Tourth Mynth and how they interacted. A couple of times it was confusing, there were a lot of characters to keep track of, but I loved it.

Tourth I think was my favorite part of the story. His battle with his past was very well done and believable. He was also just an awesome leading guy: strong, handsome, caring, and a man of good character. He is everything a girl could want in a leading man.

The romance was very light and mostly toward the end of the book. I really enjoyed it, though. It was so sweet.

I highly recommend this book for adventure seekers, mild fantasy lovers, mild romance lovers, and readers who enjoy fun banter.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon and like it on Goodreads

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Books by Rachel Rossano

A stand alone novella set in a medieval world tentative named "Five Kingdoms," The Mercenary's Marriage follows the relationship of a mercenary and a slave. Choosing Brice as his part of the plunder after a siege, Darius marries her and spends most of the book trying to earn her trust (and love). Brice resists him because of the many years of abuse at the hands of her master and his family.

Available on Amazon and Smashwords

Book Trailer

The first of four books following the Theodoric family, The Crown of Anavrea follows the relationship of Labren/Trahern and Eve. Labren, a man on the run, has reached the end of his strength until Eve steps in and refuses to let him give up. She nurses him back to health at risk to herself, and he offers her the legal and physical protection of marriage. A bit of a choosing to love despite fierce opposition tale. Like The Mercenary's Marriage, it takes place in the world of the "Five Kingdoms" during a different time period. It is another novella.

Available on Amazon and Smashwords

Book Trailer

Exchange is my first published attempt at writing a short story and my first attempt at science fiction. Isolated on a distant planet, she is incarcerated for a crime she doesn’t recall. She has no name, no idea where she came from, or why she is injected with drugs to hold these vital facts from her grasp. Despite small rebellions, she wastes away, worn and losing hope of ever being whole again. Then he arrives. Claiming to hold the answers burned daily from her brain, he offers her a way out. But at what cost?

Available on Amazon and Smashwords

Book Trailer

Word and Deed is a short story set in the Medieval time period. Verity Favian's father dies unexpectedly. Her half-brother, Verdon, lays claim to all their father left behind: title, castle, and her. Verdon cannot touch the land set aside for her dowry so he offers her hand for sale to the highest bidder. Lord Silvanticus, a man renowned for his military power and close ties to the king, makes the winning bid. Despite the rumors of Silvanticus’ madness and cruelty, Verdon accepts.

Available on Amazon and Smashwords

Book Trailer

Put Your Hands Together for....

Rachel Rossano!

First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a happily married mother of three young children. My days overflow with housework, teaching my oldest son, and potty training my almost- two-year-old twins. My writing squeezes into naptime and after bedtime. Still, my latest project is rarely far from my thoughts. Even my hobbies--reading, book cover design, and book trailer creating--are connected to writing.

What was the funniest thing that happened to you as a homeschooling kid?

One of my fondest memories of homeschooling was keeping my fellow homeschoolers eager for more of my stories. Our homeschool group met once a week. I wrote mostly play-style bantering romps that showed off my latest vocabulary words. I incorporated my own odd sense of humor and featured personas of myself and some of my friends. Very little description was incorporated with the dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed keeping everyone eager for the next installment. I frequently stopped writing mid scene or mid-sentence, insisting they wait until the next week to find out what happened.

How did being homeschooled affect your writing?

Learning at home taught me self-discipline, initiative, and the confidence to be different. If I don’t understand something, I seek out resources. No one stood over me saying that I could not learn what I want to learn or accomplish what I set out to do. I have no perception of “you can’t do that because it isn’t something (fill in the blank) do.” Although I care about others’ opinions as much as the next person, I tend to not let them hold me back from what I believe is important.

What inspired you to start writing?

I have always been a huge reader. As a young fairytale lover, I developed a taste for happily ever after endings. As my reading experience expanded into other genres and grew in new directions, I became dissatisfied with some aspects of the storylines. I began rewriting the books in my head, taking characters in new directions and exploring ideas the author chose to ignore. The progression to writing my own stories happened naturally.

What is The Crown of Anavrea about?

The first book of my four book series following the Theodoric family, The Crown of Anavrea focuses on the relationship of a man with a complicated past and the slave woman who gives him hope. Their story is set in a fantasy world I created while still a teen. The focus is on their decision to love and the difficult decisions that follow. I originally wrote it while a newlywed myself. The novel was published years ago, but I recently re-obtained the rights. The current version is a reworking of the original story, polished and expanded slightly.

Who do you recommend it for?

It is a sweet romance and appropriate for teens. However, the book has quite an adult following as well. As a novella, it doesn’t explore all of the themes in great depth. There is a mild thread of faith, but I don’t develop it extensively in this book.

Where can people buy it?

The Crown of Anavrea is available in print through Amazon or Lulu. The ebook is available through most ebook retailers including Amazon, Barnes& Noble, and Smashwords.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?

Write. Like any skill, writing improves with practice. So, write, edit, seek feedback, and write some more.

Do you have any final thoughts?

I am a wholehearted believer in the power of words. As a writer, I hope to change people with my stories. I know might sounds strange coming from an author of clean romantic fiction, but I believe even romantic fiction has a place in transforming people for the better. Marriage is a picture of the relationship of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5). By exploring the motivations, choices, emotions, and other nuances of love and marriage, I hope to show a bit of the Christ’s love for his bride, the church. That might be why I tend toward the theme of choosing to love in many of my stories.