Tuesday, March 05, 2013

DEFENDING THE DUCHESS - Rachelle McCalla - One Free Book


Welcome back, Rachelle. How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Over the course of my Reclaiming the Crown Series, readers got to know several of the members of the royal guard, including Linus, the hero of this book.  I knew I wanted to give Linus his own story because of his bravery and the sacrifices he’d made on behalf of the royal family in the previous stories.  And who would make a better heroine than the Queen’s own sister, the American, Julia Miller?  Once the two of them got together, exciting things started to happen.

Let’s do a party for Christian authors of historical fiction, what six people would you invite and why?
I don’t read much historical fiction.  I’m an avid reader of nonfiction history and biography. I adore Frederic Morton and Barbara Tuchman.

Many times, people (and other authors) think you have it made with so many books published. What is your most difficult problem with writing at this time in your career?
I have a lot of stories I want to tell, but I only have time to write a few books each year.  I wish I had more time to write, but at the same time, my four children keep me very busy, and I don’t want to sacrifice my time with them.  I need more hours in the day!

Tell us about the featured book.
Defending the Duchess tells the story of Seattle lawyer Julia Miller, whose sister married King Thaddeus of Lydia.  Julia is worried about her sister and has come to Lydia to help her transition to life in the palace, but Julia quickly discovers she has troubles of her own.  When she’s attacked and briefly kidnapped, royal guard Linus Murati come to her rescue—and stays by her side, determined to learn the identity of her attacker and keep her safe as the trouble builds.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Linus Murati stepped into the visual surveillance room of the royal guard headquarters, a three-story brick building located on the Lydian royal palace grounds across the rear courtyard from the garages.

“Get me suite 322 on screen, please,” he requested.

“I thought you had duchess duty tonight?” Simon accused Linus as he pulled up the view from the surveillance camera.

“I do. Miss Miller has requested an evening in.” Linus leaned over the back of his friend's chair and blinked at the image of the white paneled door where he'd left Queen Monica's pretty little sister mere minutes before. “But don't let her catch you calling her ‘duchess’ just yet. The queen has yet to announce the title—I don't believe Julia knows she's going to be royalty.”

“Official or not, that's the name we've assigned to her—wait now.” Simon broke off midsentence as the door on the screen opened and the dark-eyed beauty poked her head out, looking both directions before darting down the hall. “Thought you said she was in for the night.”
“That's what she told me.” Linus watched Julia’s progress, switching cameras as needed to keep up with her stealthy excursion down a set of stairs and around a bend in the hall. The woman had changed into shorts and a T-shirt and pulled her thick brown hair into a ponytail. “Do you suppose she's headed to the palace gym?”

“She's going the wrong direction for that.”

“Maybe she's lost,” Linus nearly growled as the woman took a corridor that led to an outside door. “I told her to page me if she wanted to go anywhere.”

“She's out.” The duchess stepped through an exit to the courtyard and skirted a hedgerow, her furtive glances making it clear that she was escaping deliberately—not merely adrift on her way to the gym. “Catch her.”

“She won't get through the gates.” Linus predicted, but ran for the door anyway. The queen's little sister was an American in town on a visit. She wouldn’t know her way around the kingdom of Lydia and might get lost if she stepped out alone. Besides that, as the ambush on the royal family just over two months before had taught them, even the most beloved royals could become targets of criminal activity.

Which was precisely why Julia needed a bodyguard.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
I’m on facebook, twitter, goodreads, and www.rachellemccalla.com

Thank you, Rachelle, for sharing this book with us. I just started reading it yesterday. As with all the others, I'm loving it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Defending the Duchess (Love Inspired Suspense) - paperback
Defending the Duchess (Protecting the Crown) - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

27 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi, Rachelle and Lena...it's a beautiful morning here in the Sun Valley of Arizona. Thanks for greeting it with a great post and giveaway. i would love to win Defending the Duchess.

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Melanie said...

Great interview! I can hardly wait to read Defending the Duchess (especially after reading that excerpt!). Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy! :)

Melanie
Frequentreader19(at)gmail(dot)com

Ellen Dix Wycuff said...

Defending the Duchess sounds like a great book. Reading it would be great here in Celina, Ohio

Amy C said...

Thank you so much for this interview. Would love to read Defending the Duchess.
Amy C
VA

RED~Scribe said...

I'm excited to get my hands on this book! Looks like a fantastic read!

Beth in BC

Heidi Reads... said...

I hadn't heard of her series, which looks great! Can't wait to read them. Thanks!
Heidi from San Diego, CA

Norma S said...

Thank you for giving me a chance to win your book,I would like to read more about the Duchess and her sister Juila Miller, sounds like a real great book. Like your interview, also like you cover. God bless you.
Norma Stanforth from Ohio

Rachelle said...

Thanks for stopping by, ladies!

Mary Preston said...

A fabulous page thank you. I look forward to reading DEFENDING THE DUCHESS.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Library Lady said...

I would love to win the book, "Defending the Duchess" to give to my Church Library.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Patty said...

I don't think I've read any of this series, sounds intriguing!

Patty in SC

apple blossom said...

oh, this sounds good thanks for the chance to win

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Bookishqueen said...

That excerpt is great.
Rebekah TN

rubynreba said...

Defending the Dutchess looks so good. Enjoyed the interview.
Beth from Iowa

Melody said...

I can always trust a Love Inspired book to be a wonderful story!

Donna, TX

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Enter me!!!
Sarah Richmond
N.C.

Nathanael Richmond said...

Looks Interesting!
Enter me!
Nathanael
Blanch, NC

Jennifer said...

Hi ladies! I appreciate all your hard, so that we can have a great adventure!
jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
I tried posting earlier but it never posted.

Rachelle said...

Wow, thank you all so much for your interest! I'm so blessed that you all dropped by!

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks Awesome!!! Please enter me!

Blanch, N.C.

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela from ky

Katie said...

Sounds just like my kind of book! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

KayM said...

Rachelle McCalla's new book sounds like an exciting story. Thank you for offering a copy.
may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
East Tennessee

Shopgirl said...

I've heard this is amazing! I'm in MN.

holdenj said...

Sounds like a great read. Thanks!
Julie in MN

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Cindy W. said...

9139 ryorpeI love the Love Inspired Suspense line of books. I live in a small town where we have a small WalMart and for some reason they have scaled back on the Love Inspired line of books to add all the vampire/werewolf books.

I would love to win a copy of Defending the Duchess.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana