Welcome back, Rachel. You have a lot of
books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?
Of
course I love to write books set in the south since I live in Florida ,
but I really loved the Royal romance book setting of Brighton Kingdom
and the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. Maybe because I made them up! Ha!
I’ve loved all your books, and the royal
romance books are my favorites. What do you look for when you’re shopping for a
book to buy for yourself?
Premise
and opening line are key for me. If the opening line doesn’t catch me, or the
premise, I won’t keep reading. I look for well written, well told stories.
While I write romance, I do love fiction with a literary, even epic, feel like The Girl On The Train, Nightingale, Me
Before You, A Hundred Summers.
Give us a little tour of the setting for
this book.
A Royal Christmas Wedding was set in fictionalBrighton Kingdom which I placed in the North Sea between England and Germany . It’s an old country with a
rich history so I tried to create an ancient as well as modern feel. Lots of
traditions. While it’s an island, it’s also mountainous, with high rocky cliffs
leading down to the sea. It’s quite beautiful.
A Royal Christmas Wedding was set in fictional
I love the stories of the royal series, but
the setting is wonderful, too. What other books do you have coming out soon?
The Wedding Shop, part of The Wedding
Collection, released in August. I’m working on a book for next summer! Stay
tuned!
I’ve loved The Wedding Collection, too,
especially The Wedding Chapel. Please
give us a glimpse inside your home.
Ah,
I love my house. A gift from the Lord. It’s an older brick home that’s been
remolded on the inside. The best part is the office. A two story turret built
off the garage by the previous owners who also happen to be friends. We’re
blessed.
Is this novel part of a series or a
stand-alone book?
A
Royal Christmas Wedding is the fourth in the Royal Wedding Series.
Tell us about the story.
Royal
Wedding fans will remember Avery, Susanna’s sister, from Once Upon A Prince. She was a senior in high school when Susanna
married King Nathaniel of Brighton
Kingdom . She was lively
and spunky, and just so happened to fall for one of Nathaniel’s cousins, Prince
Colin.
Colin
walked into the story as a hero, befriending Avery, and almost falling for her
right away.
I
knew their story had to be told.
The
book opens five years later and well, things haven’t turned out quite the way
either of them planned.
Will
there be another royal wedding in the Truitt family? Stay tuned!
Please give us the first page of the book.
Ah,
this is tricky but fun. I open with a prologue!
Prologue
The
night was moonless, the color of black ink, with not one star twinkling from
the heavens. The air, cold and brisk, swirled with snow.
The
ancients called such darkness the Boot of God. But for Prince Michael, the glow
of gaslights lined along the palace grounds and the love beaming in his heart
showed him the way.
Lady
Charlene offered a challenge. And he aimed to take it.
Running
along the perimeter, past the reach of the gaslights, Michael aimed for
Pembroke Chapel and its notorious bell tower. “Mick, ole chap, what’s lit your
fire?” The voice of his mate Paulson slipped over his shoulder. “The music, the
food, pints of bitters, and all the pretty ladies are back in the ballroom, the
latter just waiting for a dance with us.”
“Don’t
slow me, Pauls. I’m going to ring the chapel bell.”
Michael
worked the heavy iron latch of the tower’s door until it sprang open.
“What?
You jest. And what unsuspecting damsel will be the object of your unwanted
affection?” Paulson’s steps neared, his breathing heavy, his lantern giving
some light.
“If
I tell you, what will be the mystery?” Michael started up the slick stone steps
of Pembroke Chapel bell tower in the dark, feeling his way and balancing with
his hand on the rickety wood railing.
Tonight
he wanted nothing more than to ring the chapel bell at midnight—according to
the Harvest Celebration tradition—declaring his love for Lady Charlene and
intention to marry her on Christmas Day.
One
hundred and eighty-two narrow steps and he’d arrive at the top of the tower.
Paulson’s
voice echoed from below. “If you ring that bell, everyone will want to know who
is your intended. You won’t escape, ole man. What of your father? He’ll have a
word or two to say.”
“He’ll
discover the truth on Christmas morn. Like everyone else. Who am I to break
with a good Brighton tradition by revealing
the woman of my affection?”
At
the top, Michael butted against a door, forcing the rusty hinges to give way
until he stood under the four-hundred-year-old bell.
Paulson
arrived a moment later, the lantern swinging from his hand, the golden light
reflecting in his wide smile. “There’s your bell. What seems to be the delay,
my good man?” He motioned to the bell cord. “Or did you knock some sense into
yourself banging against the door?”
“The
cord . . .” Michael yanked on the twisted hemp rope attached to a hook in the
tower stone. “It won’t budge. It’s frozen.”
“Thank
the heavens, you’re saved.”
“I
don’t want to be saved.” Michael, determined, rubbed his hands together,
gripped the rope, and leaned, pulling his muscles taut under his winter coat.
Since my book hasn’t arrived, I am eager to find out what
comes next. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Go
to www.rachelhauck.com and from there,
connect with me on social media.
Thank you, Rachel, for allowing me to feature another royal wedding series book on my blog. I love them and I know my readers do, too.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Royal Christmas Wedding - Christianbook.comA Royal Christmas Wedding (Royal Wedding Series) Amazon paperback
A Royal Christmas Wedding (Royal Wedding Series) - Kindle
A Royal Christmas Wedding - Audio
Comment conversation starter questions: Have you read any of Rachel's Royal Wedding series? If so, which is your favorite?
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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.
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27 comments:
Yay!! Only 11 more days until its release! Can't wait to read Avery & Colin's story!
I haven't read anything in the Royal Wedding series but have read some of her other wedding stories. Sounds like another good read! Cathy - TX
I love this series and would very pleased to win this book!
Colletta from PA
I just love Miss Rachael and her books!
Melanie Backus, TX
Rachel is a wonderful author. Thanks for sharing her interview and news of her new book.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi all! Thanks so much for stopping by! I've been in Hurricane Matthew clean up mode today. But all is well. Praise God.
Good to see you all here, Becky, Cathy, Coletta, Melanie and Connie!
Rachel
angela in ky would love to win
I've heard so much about Rachel's books!! But alas I haven't read anything YET by her, I hope to remedy that very soon :-)
Rachel, so glad you are okay. I can't imagine being in a hurricane....yikes! We can get some pretty high winds here on the Oregon coast and they are scary enough at times. I pray for continued safety for you and your family, blessings!
Trixi in OR
Loved the prologue thank you.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Hi Rachel & Lena! It sounds like Avery's story is going to be just as sweet and dreamy as her sister Susanna's was!
Kristen in OK
I need to read more of Rachel's books. The one's I have read are wonderful. Thank you for offering a chance to win a copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding.
Many Blessings,
Cindy W.
Indiana
I read Once Upon a Prince and loved the light hearted story that was pure fun to read. I also read the sweet The Wedding Dress with its allegorical message tucked away in a lovely read.
Vera in the center of North Carolina awaiting the rains of Hurricane Matthew and so glad it isn't slamming NC full force.
oh, this sounds like a most lovely book thanks for the chance to win
live in ND
I've only read the first book in the series, but would love to read more!
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Another in the Royal Wedding series! Yay!
Stephanie
Binghamton, NY
mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com
Love Rachel books. north platte nebraska
I have read all the Royal Wedding series! I love them all. Can't wait to read this one.
Beth in Montana
I've read all of Rachel's Royal Wedding series. I can't pick a favorite. I was excited when I learned there is a fourth book, A Royal Christmas Wedding. I must read it! Thanks for the interview with Rachel and the chance to win the book.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
I've not read any of the Royal Wedding Series. Thank you for the wonderful interview with Rachel.
Caryl K in TX
I've already pre-ordered this one, but I know so many people who would love to read this book, as well.
Terrill - WA
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Our church library readers love Rachel's books. It's hard to pick just one because they love them all.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
I love Rachel's books, but haven't read this series yet.
Dianna in TN
I haven't read any of the Royal Series.
I live in the great state of Oklahoma.
This series sounds great. Thank you.
This book looks fabulous! Please enter me!
Clarksville VA
I would love to win Rachel's book. Maxie ( TX)
The cover looks so very royal! Love to read this.
Beth from IA
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