Welcome back, Rachelle. I love having you here. What are some of the
spiritual themes you like to write about?
Great question! In my
suspense stories, my characters are often in deadly danger fighting for their
lives. Thus I often find myself writing
about God’s protection, and trusting God, and finding faith even in life’s
bleakest moments.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
This December my first Love Inspired Historical hits the
shelves. It’s called A Royal Marriage, and it takes place in
801 AD in the fictional Mediterranean Kingdom of Lydia, which is the kingdom
featured in the Reclaiming the Crown series.
Then in March, readers can look for the first suspense book
of my new Protecting the Crown series, which centers around the men of the
Lydian Royal Guard who readers have met in the Reclaiming the Crown
Series. The first book, Defending the Duchess, stars Linus
Murati, who readers first met in Protecting
the Princess.
If you could spend an
evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would
it be and why?
It would be great fun to spend an evening with a real prince
or princess, to learn a bit about what they’re like in person.
What historical
person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
There are so many intriguing historical figures who I’d love
to meet, including Dietrich Bonheoffer and Corrie Ten Boom.
I’d love to talk to
Corrie Ten Boom. How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only
rejections from publishers?
Keep sharpening your craft.
Read what the publishers publish.
Read the publisher’s guidelines, follow their blogs, find out the
specific genres or types of books they’re looking for, and then write the story
they can’t refuse.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Missing Monarch is the fourth and final book in the
Reclaiming the Crown series. Readers
have followed the four royal siblings, heirs to the Lydian crown, as they
struggle to restore peace in the wake of an insurgent uprising. In this last book, we finally meet Thaddeus,
who’s been missing-presumed-dead for the past six years.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
"Regis?"
The Crown Prince Thaddeus of Lydia didn't hesitate to respond to
his prearranged code name. "Yes?"
"Have you seen the news?"
"Always."
"Then you know—?"
"Yes." Thaddeus didn't need his friend Kirk, the
sole person on earth who knew how to reach him, to elaborate any more over the
phone. Yes, he knew that the tiny kingdom
of Lydia had been nearly
overtaken by insurgent forces ten days before. He also knew who was behind
those forces—a man who went by the code name 8, short for Octavian, an
egomaniac would-be despot, who'd stop at nothing to achieve the power he
desired. What Thad didn't know, was how to stop him from taking over the tiny
kingdom.
"You know that we need you?" A voice broke in, a
female. One of his sisters? Princess Isabelle or Princess Anastasia, he
couldn't be sure which one.
"You need me to stay right where I am." Thad hoped
his sister could hear the authority in his voice. He was, after all, her big
brother, besides being the crown prince of the Christian nation. He knew what
he was talking about.
"No—" Isabelle's voice for sure. "We need you
on the thr—"
"Don't say it." Thad interrupted her before she
could drop any words that might give away his identity. They had no way of
being certain their line was secure, though he knew Kirk would have taken every
possible precaution. The risk was simply too great. If Octavian ever found
where he was hiding, all the sacrifices he'd made would have been in vain.
"We need you here." That was Alexander's voice, so
much more mature than when Thad had left home. But then, Prince Alexander had
been through many trials on behalf of Lydia . "You're the only one
who can end this."
"If I come home, things will only get worse, I promise
you. You have to trust that I know what I'm talking about."
"If you would explain—"
"I can't. Not over the phone. You know that." Thad
took a deep breath, wishing there were some way he could impress upon his
younger siblings the gravity of the situation. They couldn't underestimate the
foe they were up against. "Please don't try to contact me again. The risks
are far too great."
"You need to come home." It was Kirk's voice
again, insistent this time.
"No. I need to go. Goodbye." Thad gripped the
phone, knowing he needed to end the call and cut the line that exposed him to
potential detection. Still, he hesitated to sever the connection to his family.
He missed them so much, the six long years since he'd seen them last weighing
on his heart.
Anastasia's voice echoed distantly over the still-live line.
"You were right, Kirk. He's determined not to return. I wish we could make
him understand, but we can't risk trying to visit him, and he won't listen to
any of us."
"There is one person he might listen to. I don't know
if I can convince her—"
"Don't!" Thad nearly shouted, glad he hadn't hung
up the phone after all. "Don't bring her into this. Never speak of her
again."
"But—"
"No. There's nothing she can say to me that will change
anything. She deserves her privacy. Do you understand?" Silence ticked by
in tense seconds, and Thad feared the connection had been severed after all.
"Promise me you won't try to contact her."
Reluctance filled Kirk's voice. "I promise."
"Thank you. I've got to go." Thad ended the call,
feeling even more alone than he had mere moments before, the reminder of his
long-lost wife prickling the long-dead parts of his heart like blood rushing
back to a sleeping appendage, as though to rouse his buried feelings back to
life.
He trusted his friend. Kirk would keep his promise not to
reach out to Monica.
Thad stared at the phone in his hand, replaying the details
of their conversation. They hadn't spoken Monica's name. And surely their line
was secure. So why did Thad feel such a breathless sense of panic, as though
somehow, by mentioning a woman he cared about, they'd exposed Monica to
detection?
Because he knew his enemy. And every time he'd
underestimated Octavian before, he'd been wrong. Dead wrong.
I can hardly wait to
get my copy. I’ve read all of this series, including the pre-book on your
website. I love all of them. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Like my author page on facebook, find me on goodreads,
and for the latest information on upcoming stories, new releases, and exclusive
insider information about existing titles, visit my website, www.rachellemccalla.comThank you, Rachelle, for spending this time with us today.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Missing Monarch (Love Inspired Suspense) - paperback
The Missing Monarch (Love Inspired Suspense) - 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 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
19 comments:
I loooove historical fiction
Monica Ontario
I enjoy books involving royalty. Too neat.
from the black hills of SD
The title of this book draws me in! I really hope I win this one! It sounds amazing! I'm from NC.
This sounds great! I'm from MN.
THE MISSING MONARCH looks wonderful A fabulous first page thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I have loved Rachelle's Reclaiming the Crown series, she has woven an amazing, thrilling tale with so many layers and wonderful romance. I'm ready for The Missing Monarch, please add me! :)
Merry in TX
Sounds like a book for me!
Amy C
VA
Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
Enter me!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.
thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I'm just about to start the first book in this series and I'd love to be entered for this one!
Liz R in AL
Thank You for taking the time to do the interview. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to 'know' authors until I found Lena's blogs.
From Donna, TX
I have read the first in this series and I truly enjoyed it. Please give me the opportunity to win this book.
God Bless You!
Dennie Richmond
Blanch, NC
I've enjoyed this series and would love to be entered.
Beth from Iowa
Sounds good!
Jes
jswaks at gmail dot com
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA
I would like to visit the Kingdom of Lydia! Need to find the earlier three too! Thanks!
Julie in MN
Looks Great!!! Please enter me!
Blanch, N.C.
Just discovered this series...... , and. Looooooooooving it!!!!
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