I’m happy to welcome Wild Rose Press author Rachel Brimble. Today, Rachel shares details about her creative journey and her new release, Victoria & Violet.

Interview

What’s the best part of being an author? The worst?

Best part – For me, it’s the first draft where I can take my imagination where it leads me…or at least where the characters lead me. Once I have a story plotted, I am off and writing and (for the most part) enjoy writing the first draft because I see it through from beginning to end without looking back. The hard part comes in the following drafts!

Worst part – The plotting! I usually start out with a nugget of an idea and then have to find a way to stretch that idea to 90,000 words. People assume, because I have written 28 books, it must get easier. But it doesn’t! At least, it doesn’t for me – maybe for other writers they have cracked the elusive code and I’m missing the boat each time, haha!

Which authors have inspired you?

So many! My long-time favourite historical fiction authors are Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir and my favorite historical romance authors are Julia London and Julia Quinn. I also have a huge love of crime writers such as S J Sansom and Alex Grecian as well as women’s fiction author Jodi Picoult. Shall I stop now?

What is your favorite quote?

“Set it up the way you want it to be.” Iyanla Vanzant

I love this quote because of its simplicity. In other words, don’t moan or look at other people’s lives and wish they were yours. Go out and get what you want, work toward it, only allow people into your life who love and/or respect you. Set it up the way you want it to be…

Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?

I am an avid knitter – I just love it! I knit so much and so often that I can’t sit and watch a TV show without my knitting anymore. It amazes me that for years watched TV with my hands doing absolutely nothing. Those days are long gone! Knitting and watching TV is one of my favourite things to do.

What are you working on next?

I have almost finished the final draft of the sequel to Victoria & Violet, which is set in the court of the Prince and Princess of Wales who go on to become King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Once I have submitted that book to my editor, I will either dive straight into book 3 of the Royal Maids series or I might start work on a new Edwardian series I have in mind. Watch this space…

Blurb

When Violet Parker is told she will be Queen Victoria’s personal housemaid, she cannot believe her good fortune. She finally has the chance to escape her overbearing mother, a servant to the Duchess of Kent. Violet hopes to explore who she is and what the world has to offer without her mother’s schemes overshadowing her every thought and action.

Then she meets James Greene, assistant to the queen’s chief political adviser, Lord Melbourne. From entirely different backgrounds and social class, Violet and James should have neither need nor desire to speak to one another, yet through their service, their paths cross and their lives merge—as do their feelings.

Only Victoria’s court is not always the place for romance, but rather secrets, scandals, and conspiracies…

Excerpt

“What awaits me is marriage,” he said. “But I am not a man any woman should want for a husband so it’s something I will avoid for as long as possible.”

The curiosity in her eyes made his confidence falter, and James lifted his fingers from her arm. No doubt she thought him pathetic for fearing something that so many longed for. But Violet did not know him or what he might be capable of. Of the nasty, volatile temperament passed down through the men in his family for generations.

“Better marriage than imprisonment with a mother who has controlled and belittled you your entire life.” She smiled wryly, her gaze sad. “Better a son who will one day marry than a daughter shackled to a mother who wishes her to scheme and spy upon the only person who has made her feel human, liked, and worthy of a modicum of respect for the first time in months.”

He stilled. “Do you speak of the queen?”

Mistress Parker swallowed before looking at Victoria where she stood a few feet away. “What would you like to do if not marry?” she asked quietly.

James stared at her profile, unsure of her thoughts or disposition. “Stay at court where I am happy. Work hard. Rise within the hierarchy as a single man.”

“I want to paint.”

Had he heard her correctly? “Paint?”

She softly smiled as she faced him. “Yes. I dream of my landscapes hanging in every gallery and every grand house in the country. If you think yourself an oddity in this mercenary world, whatever must you think of me? Good evening, Mr. Greene.”

James stared after her as Violet disappeared amongst the mass of finery, his heart heavy for the sadness that emanated from her, yet his inquisitiveness about her had only deepened. He looked at Victoria as she laughed with Melbourne and others in her circle. Could it be that the queen saw the same spark of something special in Violet Parker that he did?

Author Bio and Links

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press and releases 17th October 2022.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

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Giveaway

Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.

Follow Rachel on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.